Weight and weight related behaviours among NSW Kindergarten children

Abstract

The findings from the 2010 NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) show that the prevalence of combined overweight and obesity among Kindergarten children has significantly increased at a rate of 0.17% per annum between 2004 and 2010, from 17.7% to 18.7%, respectively. The rate of increase in combined overweight and obesity has been stronger among boys compared with girls (0.25% pa vs 0.10% pa, respectively). With one-in-five NSW children entering school overweight or obese there is a need for preventive interventions during early childhood and preschool years. The purpose of the report is to inform the NSW Ministry of Health on the weight status and associated behaviours of children in their first year of school.