Health Promotion: Munch and Move Intervention Among Children

Health Promotion 1
HEALTH PROMOTION: MUNCH AND MOVE INTERVENTION AMONG CHILDREN
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Health Promotion 2
Health Promotion
Introduction
In Australia, child obesity has become one of the most concerning public health issues
with reports indicating that overweight and obese cases among children between the ages of 2
and 3 and those between the ages of 4 and 5 have arisen to 23% and 21% respectively. Obesity
prevention initiatives should therefore be implemented at an early age and should primarily aim
to change the physical as well as eating behaviors among children (AIHW, 2016). Notably,
unhealthy weight gain and unhealthy food intake among children are the chief causal factors for
obesity (Bell et al, 2015, p. 1611). In light of such considerations, the NSW health initiative has
developed an intervention program (munch and move) that supports healthy development among
children under the age of 5 by focusing and promoting healthy eating, physical activity and
reducing small screen time which arises from activities such as watching TV and playing video
games (NSW Ministry of Health, 2015, p. 5).
This health promotion (HP) intervention provides training and resources for childhood
professionals or educators who work in NSW early childhood care services and educational
settings. The offered training enables these educators to implement an approach that focuses on
fun and play in supporting healthy eating as well as promoting physical activity among children
who are under their care (NSW Ministry of Health, 2015, p. 5). This paper therefore analyzes
this intervention in light of various aspects including; health promotion framework, social
determinates of health, informed systems thinking approach and promotion of health equity and
action on environmental sustainability.
Key Determinants of Health

Health Promotion 3
The prevalence of obesity and overweight cases among children in Australia necessitates
the need for early childhood interventions in order to promote healthy eating and physical
activity behaviors. Furthermore, evidence indicates the importance of such early intervention and
specifically the effectiveness of center-based early childhood services in promoting healthy
behaviors (Zask et al, 2012, p. 2). In this light, munch and move intervention was therefore
specifically developed for purposes of supporting early childhood professionals to enhance
physical activity among children and also promote healthy eating habits among this population
group (NSW.gov, 2018). Available research indicating the effectiveness of this program in the
prevention of obesity indicates that the intervention is essential in improving weight related
behaviors as well as mitigating risk factors of obesity that could be detrimental to the overall
well-being of a child (Lubans et al, 2010, p. 1020).
Socio-Ecological Determinants Approach
A child’s wellbeing is put at great risk with the consequences that are associated with
obesity in the short and long terms. As evidenced by research, children who are obese are more
likely to remain obese into their adulthood and consequently developed associated health risks in
the form of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases even at a young age
(Salmon et al, 2008, p. 602). Evidence also suggests that children who are obese are at an
increased risk of succumbing to premature deaths or disability as they develop into adulthood
(NSW ministry of Health, 2015, p. 4).
Aside from the health risks associated with obesity, there are a number of social-
economic impacts that are associated with obesity in young children. Research indicates that
children who come from social and economically disadvantaged communities or families are

Health Promotion 4
more likely to be overweight or obese when compared to their counterparts who come from
families or communities that are more economically advantaged. Furthermore, such conditions
may create socio-economic inequalities and segregation among children which may natively
impact on the disadvantaged group (NSW ministry of Health, 2015, p. 5). In consideration of
such factors, studies have therefore focused on reducing sedentary lifestyle behaviors as well as
promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits.
Studies indicate that the success of intervention plans is dependent on the intervention’s
capacity to implement physical activity initiatives and healthy dietary habits simultaneously.
Moreover, there is also need to implement a policy that develops a healthy early childhood
environment. To massively realize the benefits of such interventions, it is also essential that the
HP intervention be implemented in public settings such as child care where most children are
found (Hector et al, 2012, p. 3). Munch and move intervention has therefore been essential in
meeting these requirements as evidenced by the program’s success in reducing the prevalence of
overweight and obesity primarily by producing changes in food intake and increasing motor
skills (NSW ministry of Health, 2015, p. 6).
The findings of Hardy et al (2010) indicated that children subjected to this form of
intervention significantly increased their fundamental movement skills (FMS) compared to their
counterparts in the control group. Furthermore, it was realized that the effectiveness of this
intervention, or rather, the increment in the FMS scores was dependent on the intervention
sessions established within a week in such a way that the FMS scores increased with increased
sessions per week while the converse was also true. In regards to the healthy eating habits, the
study also denoted that children within the intervention group reduced their intake for sweetened
drinks compared to their counterparts (Hardy et al, 2010, p. 80). Such studies have therefore