Practitioners who recognise the importance of working with parents in tackling the obesity epidemic will want to find out more about the HENRY Programme.
HENRY - which stands for health, exercise and nutrition for the really young - has been developed by Professor Mary Rudolf, consultant paediatrician for Leeds Primary Care Trust. With the help of a DCSF grant, training is now being targeted at children's centres, nurseries and health practitioners, with a particular drive in areas of disadvantage. An e-learning course is also available.
Speaking at the NDNA's annual conference, Professor Rudolf stressed the importance of working with parents while their children are very young - or even before birth.
'Infants who are heavy and gain weight rapidly in the first year have up to six times the risk of subsequent obesity, while those who are obese in the first two years of life have up to ten times the risk of remaining so,' she said, also pointing out research showing that breastfed babies are able to self-regulate their feeding, but that this is more difficult with bottle feeds.
HENRY focuses on giving parents useful information. Professor Rudolf said diet was only one aspect of the problem. 'TV has a hugely powerful effect. It limits physical activity, increases food consumption, subjects children to advertising and promotes pester power.'
However, she tries to avoid any 'preaching' approach. 'This doesn't motivate parents to get on board with change. We want to equip practitioners with the ability to work in partnership with parents and empower them. It is all about parents being sensitive to the needs of their children, but at the same time being able to set clear boundaries.'
The programme addresses:emotional wellbeing; parenting skills; eating patterns; nutrition; and physical activity. There is a toolkit resource that can be used with parents, outlining the principles of health and wellbeing.
Further information
For details of the HENRY e-course contact henry@childrensworkforacademy.co.uk. For other information contact HENRY@rcph.ac.uk.
