The Importance of National Monitoring of Children's Growth : Consensus Statement From the Nordic PromoKids Network

Abstract

Aim: To describe the current approaches to surveillance and use of data on children's growth in the Nordic countries and to reach consensus on how this can be improved. Methods: Members of the Promoting Healthy Weight in Children (PromoKids) network and additional public health professionals from five Nordic countries described their respective national growth surveillance systems. The various approaches to data collection and consolidation were analysed and compared. Results: In Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland, all children's weight and height are measured repeatedly at different intervals from birth by child and school health services. However, the data are not consistently registered centrally in all countries for use in public health planning, policymaking and research. Finland and Denmark had the most mature systems for data collection. Conclusion: A consensus was reached that surveillance of body weight and height should be a mandatory element of national action plans to prevent and manage growth disorders including obesity, and to identify susceptible population groups. Surveillance protocols should be designed to prevent stigmatisation of children with overweight. Nordic countries should collaborate to accomplish comprehensive data coverage to uncover social inequalities and evaluate societal actions to prevent obesity in children.