A Growth Status Measurement Pilot in Four Calgary Area Schools: Perceptions of Grade 5 Students and Their Parents

Reliable measures of growth in children are necessary for planning and evaluating obesity prevention programs. Currently, measured growth data are unavailable in Calgary for school-age children. This single sample, cross-sectional study included Grade 5 students and their parents. Height and weight measurements of 305 students (68% of those eligible) were taken in private in June 2007 and converted to Body Mass Index (BMI) categories. All but one student (99.7%) completed a questionnaire assessing perceptions of the measurement process. Parents received their child's growth data, an information package on healthy eating and active living, additional resources, and a questionnaire. A third of parents completed the questionnaire. Most students (94.1%) reported feeling ''OK'' or ''Happy'' about being measured. In addition, 93.2% of parents reported having ''Low'' or ''Neutral'' concerns about the measurement. Furthermore, 28.1% of responding parents reported seeking additional resources or considered making a lifestyle change for their family following the pilot. Measurement of students completed in private by nurses was acceptable to participants.