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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Martha Y. Kubik, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 6101 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 6126250606, kubik002@umn.edu and Mary Story, PhD, RD, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454.

As primary providers of school health services, school nurses are positioned to assume a lead role in obesity prevention strategies that target school-aged children and youth. However, are school nurses prepared to assume a role that requires intervention at both individual and population levels to be successful and sustainable? In fall 2005, the Minnesota School Nurse Survey was mailed to licensed school nurses that were members of the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (n=221/275; response rate=80%). The most common health services delivered by nurses were assessment of non-acute and acute health conditions and case management of students with special needs. Only 37% of nurses conducted annual height/weight screening of students and most (97%) did not calculate and report BMI % to parents. One-third reported contact or counseling with parents or teachers about student-related weight concerns. Most (80%) did not use BMI or blood pressure to assess overweight children. While 70% provided some health-related policy consultation to administrators, less than one-half were members of school health councils and only one-third monitored school nutrition and physical activity practices. Most (73%) believed school health services should be used for obesity prevention. However, only 28% believed school nurses were prepared to oversee school-based obesity prevention efforts. Schools and school nurses are critical participants in obesity prevention efforts. Expectations about the role and responsibilities of school nursing in obesity prevention requires the attention and support of school administrators, nursing leaders and policy makers as important next steps are taken to address the childhood obesity epidemic.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will

• List common services delivered by school nurses.
• Compare and contrast the frequency of obesity-related services delivered by school nurses at the individual and school level.
• Discuss, assess and prioritize the development needs to aid school nurses in assuming a role in school-based obesity prevention efforts.

Keywords: Obesity, Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 54.0 kb)