Child health ecological surveillance system (CHESS) for childhood obesity: A feasibility study

R. C. Plotnikoff, P. Lightfoot, S. McFall, C. Spinola, S. T. Johnson, T. Prodaniuk, G. Predy, M. S. Tremblay, L. Svenson

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

    1 Citation (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objective: To assess the feasibility of employing an ecologically guided childhood obesity relevant surveillance system Methods: Cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 31 organizational representatives across 28 unique organizations and/or departments from three purposively sampled communities in the Capital Health Region in Alberta, Canada. Results: All the organizational representatives surveyed reported awareness of childhood obesity and 36% reported participation in child obesity initiatives. Data to support a surveillance system are available but not in a suitable format, and privacy legislation present significant barriers. Interest in developing and sustaining an ecologically based surveillance system was low (18%). Conclusion: Due to the heterogeneity of available data and limited vision for the development and implementation of a surveillance system, the application of an ecologically based surveillance system relevant to childhood obesity may be constrained. Broad-based awareness of childhood obesity by a wide range of organizations could assist in establishing an effective coalition to address this issue over the long term by supporting the establishment of a surveillance system.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)95-106
    Number of pages12
    JournalChronic Diseases in Canada
    Volume30
    Issue number3
    Publication statusPublished - Jun. 2010

    Keywords

    • Alberta
    • Child health
    • Ecological surveillance system
    • Obesity

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