"Obesity, obesity and obesity are a very sensitive topic," says Gerd Almquist-Tangen, health strategist at Region Halland and researcher at the University of Gothenburg.

Ten years ago, she started a research project in which more than 2,600 children began to be born from birth onwards. The researchers have measured the length, weight and abdominal volume while at the same time the parents have had to answer surveys. The numbers have been entered in a database. The purpose is to gain more knowledge about children's health, growth and nutrition.

- It is ten years since we started and now that they have reached school age, we hope that school health care continues to measure and weigh. It is also important that they measure abdominal volume, says Gerd Almquist-Tangen.

Halland is the only county in Sweden where abdominal volume is measured. The method is relatively new and is normally used in adults. According to the researchers, it gives better results compared to another well-known method.

- BMI really only describes the relationships between length and weight, but it doesn't say where the fat tissues are, says Gerd Almquist-Tangen.

Some schools in the county have already started measuring abdominal volume. Now the researchers hope that all activities will follow suit.

- Of course, we also hope that the parents continue to fill out the questionnaires. We need more knowledge about the health, physical activity and eating habits of small and larger children, says Gerd Almquist-Tangen.

The information can also be valuable for identifying and preventing childhood obesity at an earlier stage in the future.

See more in the clip above.

Direct report · What do you think about the proposal to regularly measure the children's abdominal volume in school?

Post

12 min11.59

It can lead to a fixation in the children so it leans towards anotexia instead! How sensitive are you not at that age? Lack of knowledge about good food may need to be taught more, both to parents and students? Have live teaching in the school where you can fix your food once a week and then with a nutritionist's knowledge at the bottom!

Susanne

16 min11.56

There are a number of problems with prescribing more sports and movement in the school.

Firstly, with less than that we reduce the time for other subjects, the children's time in school will increase.

Secondly, sports in the school are not individually tailored, and although theoretical knowledge about diet and health is included, they do not extend to practical aspects beyond sports. Students cannot cook their own meals based on their physiology at school.

Third, a recurring problem in school is that students skip sports due to the social status attributed to athleticism and attractive physics. Those who need the most exercise will constantly be "sick" or "forget their sports clothes" to avoid the shame of not being able to perform at the sport or the physical moments.

Fourth, the school's efforts, albeit contributing to a healthy lifestyle, would not be sufficient to counteract a sedentary leisure and unhealthy diet in the home.

Being overweight is not something that institutions alone can overcome: it requires collaboration between the state, municipality, county councils, institutions, associations and - above all - the home.

Bear

20 min11.51

Ok!

Lena

28 min11.44

The next suggestion will be to measure the skulls.

Jan Back

28 min11.44

Although the intention is good, it does not help to just state that they are overweight; both parents and the children themselves are probably aware that they are suffering from obesity. The problem is to motivate them to get out of it. Video games are more fun than sports for some. Everyday exercise becomes less common. The parents do not have the time or knowledge to create a suitable lifestyle for the children.

If the healthcare system also takes responsibility for creating an individual-based food and exercise schedule for the whole family based on biology, interests and economics where they invest in getting parents on the train, it can work. Otherwise, it is only an unnecessary interference with the students' integrity that can lead to increased mental ill-health.

Bear

28 min11.44

Initiating measures against childhood obesity is good, but this proposal risks creating heat, stress among those who are overweight and ultimately the risk of bullying.
On the other hand, it is important that you take a discussion down to the parents, that you increase the amount of exercise / sport / gymnastics in the school.
Think that you will go further with preventive info than measuring abdominal circumference.

PG Fahtbring

39 min11.33

And then an automatic report of concern to the social when the child has too high BMI. No better with discussion with parents in cases where it is relevant and increase the possibility of moving in school.

Martin

1 hour11.26

That's a good suggestion!

Information about childhood obesity is incredibly important for breaking the current trend.

With increased information to the students and thereby the parents about food, exercise and sedentary lifestyle, we can influence their lives for the better and thereby reduce the mental and physical suffering that obesity otherwise entails.

Gustav

1 hour11.26

Even more heat and anxiety about appearance will be the result. Those who are overweight to the extent that it is dangerous to health will still be caught up with today's checks.

In addition, there is something called parental responsibility. For anyone unfamiliar with this, it means that you as a parent take responsibility for your child, not anyone else. You see well if the child starts to put on weight and is not feeling well. And what do you do then? Does the school ask to fix it? Eeh, no ... You start activating the baby, look over the diet and, if necessary, contact the health care.

Sune

1 hour11.17

A terrible proposal. It will increase mental ill health.
Bring more sports and movement into the school instead.

Hanna