The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on childhood obesity rates, by Health Board area, in Wales, UK.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic on rates of children living with obesity and severe obesity, by Health Board area in Wales.

Methods: The pre-pandemic data consisted of all children included in the Wales Childhood Measurement Programme (2014/15-2018/19). The 2021/22 Child Measurement Programme data were used as the post-pandemic data set.

Association between children living with obesity and Mental Health problems: a data analysis of the Welsh Health Survey, UK.

Background: Obesity and mental health problems in children are both significant and growing public health issues. There is mixed evidence on the relationship between obesity and mental health in children. This study examines the association between obesity and mental health problems in a nationally representative sample of children using the Welsh Health Survey for Children (n = 11,279 aged 4-15 years).

Living with obesity is related to peer problems in children: A national cross-sectional study.

Aim: To assess the association between obesity and problems in peer relations in children (4-15 years) in a large (n = 11 279), nationally representative data set.

Methods: The chi-square test was used to compare differences in numbers of children with and without obesity and with and without abnormal peer problem scores. Then multivariable logistic regression was used to determine any association between obesity and peer problems after accounting for deprivation and life-style factors.

A cross-sectional study using the Childhood Measurement Programme for Wales to examine population-level risk factors associated with childhood obesity.

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between childhood obesity and modifiable population-level risk factors, after accounting for deprivation.

Design: A review of the literature identified population-level risk factors including a healthy childcare setting, the local food environment, accessible open space, community safety and crime. Data for these risk factors were then identified and matched by each of the twenty-two local government areas in Wales to each child that had data on height and weight in the Wales Childhood Measurement Programme (CMP) (2012-2017).

Prevalence of severe childhood obesity in Wales UK.

Background: In Wales, approximately one in eight children is obese (aged 4-5 years). The aim of this prevalence study was to examine the trends in severe childhood obesity and investigate any relationship with socioeconomic deprivation.

Methods: Data for all children included as part of the Wales Childhood Measurement Programme (2013/14-2017/18) were utilized.

Learning across the UK: a review of public health systems and policy approaches to early child development since political devolution.

Background: Giving children the best start in life is critical for their future health and wellbeing. Political devolution in the UK provides a natural experiment to explore how public health systems contribute to children's early developmental outcomes across four countries.

Method: A systematic literature review and input from a stakeholder group was used to develop a public health systems framework.

Should HbA1C be used to screen pregnant women for undiagnosed diabetes in the first trimester? A review of the evidence.

Background: Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital abnormalities, macrosomia and perinatal mortality. The demographics of the population becoming pregnant has changed (more obese and older women). More women are therefore entering pregnancy with undiagnosed diabetes.

Risk factors for childhood obesity: a data analysis of the Welsh Health Survey.

Background The prevalence of childhood obesity in Wales is 12%. It has been estimated that obesity will cost the NHS £10 billion a year by 2050 ( Government Office for Science 2007 ). Aim To determine important risk factors associated with childhood obesity from the data in the Welsh Health Survey 2008 to 2012.

"I won't call it rationing...": an ethnographic study of healthcare disinvestment in theory and practice.

Healthcare decision-makers have always faced the challenge of allocating finite resources, but the global economic downturn places extra pressure on health systems to meet rising demands. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and UK government have therefore called on commissioners to consider opportunities for 'disinvestment'- the cessation or restriction of health-care practices, and subsequent shift of resources to higher value care. However, there are no clear guidelines on how to approach disinvestment, and little is known about how this is tackled in practice.