With childhood obesity on the rise, a mental health support team manager for the Trust has begun research trials which looks at ways to tackle the problem.
In the UK today, 36% of children are overweight. That figure is expected to rise to 41% by 2034.
Grace Cloke is a mental health support team manager for Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
For almost 2 years, Grace has been studying for a doctorate. Her study focuses on childhood obesity. It is called the ‘mind power and healthy lifestyle study’. It will look at a range of methods that can be put into practice to prevent obesity in children and young adults.
The study is across 5 papers. Each paper includes early intervention methods to help children adopt healthier lifestyles. The aim is to prevent obesity in children and young adults.
Grace says:
“Over the past 30 years obesity has doubled in children. It has also quadrupled in adolescents.
“I want to find out how we can teach kids and teens new ways of thinking and learning. I hope it will help them make healthy choices and avoid problems with obesity.”
Grace’s research will be split across 5 papers. They are:
Paper 1: Developing a New Evaluation Tool
This study will develop and test a new tool to assess quality of health and wellbeing resources for children. The tool will help researchers, schools and healthcare professionals identify what works. Such as whether educational materials include evidence-based techniques to support healthy behaviour change.
Paper 2: Helping Younger Children Build Healthy Habits
Th next paper tests a social learning theory-based storybook. This is designed for children aged 4 to 6 years and their parents. It aims to encourage healthy eating and activity habits during early childhood. It will examine whether families find the storybook engaging, practical, and helpful in everyday life.
Paper 3: Supporting Children and Parents Together
This looks at a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) workbook for children aged 10 to 12 years with overweight. There will be telephone support for parents. The research will explore whether helping children build belief and healthy thinking patterns. It also helps parents to change behaviour at home. Improve habits and wellbeing.
Paper 4: Combining Learning with Real Life Activities
This is a family program. It combines CBT workbook with Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food cooking classes for parents. It is delivered by Healthy Cornwall alongside physical activity sessions for children. This aims to find out if combining practical skills with psychological support helps families make and maintain healthier lifestyle choices.
Paper 5: A Digital Game for Teenagers
The final paper will develop and test an interactive digital game for adolescents. Players will help a character escape a fictional ‘junk food city’. While doing this they will learn about healthy eating. As well as decision making, and self-management skills. The study will explore whether a game approach can increase engagement. It also aims to support healthier lifestyle behaviours in young people.
Grace says:
“The first study is now live, and we should have the results back in the coming weeks.”
We will be following Grace’s journey in the months ahead, and her quest to prevent childhood obesity.
