Nurses learn how to talk about weight positively

SCHOOL nurses in the Causeway area are the first in Northern Ireland to take part in a training programme that will equip them with the skills to talk to children and their families about the importance of keeping to a healthy weight.

With obesity in children in the UK on the increase, the Department of Health has established the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).

This course will equip School Nurses with the necessary skills to raise the issue of weight, and talk about it in a sensitive manner to children and their families.

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Dr. Cheryl Flanagan, Northern Trust said, “Weight is a sensitive subject that is why it is important that it is talked about in a way that does not offend. School nurses have never received specific training to deal with or engage with someone who is overweight or obese. If the subject is not addressed in the right way, it can de-motivate children and the problem will continue to be ignored.”

The programme will allow school nurses to further develop their skills on how to use BMI charts, how to interpret their findings and improve interpersonal skills so they can talk sensitively about weight and obesity in a positive way with children to encourage them to change.

The training programme took place over five days in March and was led by one of the UK’s leading experts on the psychological consequences and management of obesity in children, Dr Paul Chadwick and Behaviour Change Trainer, Dympna Pearson.

Sharon Graham, School Nurse said “Highlighting BMI results to parents is seen as a vital way of talking both to children and their families, with the aim of helping parents understand the importance of healthy weight for the whole family and support them to make lifestyle changes.

“When a problem is identified we will contact the parents in-person as not to alarm but to begin the process of discussing and addressing the weight issue in the correct way ”.