Addressing Weight-Related Issues in an Elementary School: What do Students, Parents, and School Staff Recommend?*

*This work has been supported by a grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation Grant # 394029.

Abstract

This study examined weight-related issues affecting elementary school children to gain insight into how best to address these issues within a school-based intervention. The study population included 21 students, 12 school staff members, and 21 parents from a school that serves an ethnically-diverse population. Data were collected using focus groups and individual interviews and were analyzed using qualitative research methodology. Weight-related teasing and poor body image emerged as prominent issues affecting students. Results suggest that programs aimed at the prevention of weight-related disorders should go beyond issues of nutrition and physical activity and include strategies to reduce weight-related mistreatment and to improve students' body image.

Notes

*This work has been supported by a grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation Grant # 394029.