A School Nurse Delivered Health Promotion Intervention on Diabetes Indices among overweight children

Abstract

Globally, the rise in the prevalence of non-communicable illnesses is the most significant public health challenge
of the 21st century, with childhood obesity playing a key role. Its well-known evidence that school-based
interventions are effective in managing childhood obesity and diabetic profiles. The primary objective of this study
was to examine the school nurse delivered health promotion intervention on diabetes indices among overweight
children.
Methods: True experimental research design was carried out. A total of eight schools in all consented to take part
in the investigation and the distribution of the schools were done randomly using the lottery technique. Children
aged between 12 -18 participated in the intervention program and the children in the study group received a
school-based intervention for 16 weeks. The anthropometric measurements of weight, height and BMI were
assessed as primary outcomes and diabetes indices such as fasting and postprandial blood sugar were assessed
as secondary outcomes. Comparison of baseline values band after the intervention was done through paired and
unpaired t-tests.
Results: Compared with the control group experimental group showed a decrease in weight (t=3.835 P<0.001) and
body mass index (t=1.724 P<0.001). Substantial changes in the fasting blood sugar (t=0.135, p=0.0893) and post
prandial blood sugar (t=2.282, p=0.023). Additionally, there was a link between fasting sugar and BMI that was
favourable. After a 16-week intervention program, the postprandial blood glucose level in the experimental group
showed a significant positive connection (r=0.706 p0.001, r=0.628 p0.001, r=0.567 p0.00).
Conclusion: Despite the fact that a lot of research has focused on the impact of childhood obesity and the
significance of the diabetic profile. This study demonstrated that the physical activity-based intervention helped the obese children significantly in improving their physical health status and reducing complications on health
issues related to diabetes. In order to screen diabetic students and conduct screening procedures, additional policy
and protocol need be implemented in school settings.