Holistic approach to overcome obesity

INVALUABLE lessons were learned by professionals combating childhood obesity in Brunei as the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) successfully hosted its first workshop on obesity.

The workshop was titled 'Embracing Communication Technology for Pediatric Obesity Weight Management and Reduction (POWER)'.

It brought together dieticians, school administrations, academics and health promoters to learn the cutting-edge methods used by Dr Susan Woolford at the CS Mott Children's Hospital in Michigan, United States.

Dr Woolford, the Medical Director at the CS Mott Children's Hospital Pediatric Comprehensive Weight Management Centre, guided the attendees to a comprehensive overview of the Michigan Pediatric Outpatient Weight Evaluation & Reduction (MPOWER) programme in the past week.

She conducted brainstorming sessions with the participants to apply elements of the programme into the local context.

Health Education Officer at the Health Promotion Centre Rusydiah Sudin described the workshop as "amazing".

It opened their eyes to the number of possible options available to reduce childhood obesity.

Rusydian said, "I was very interested in Dr Woolford's four-stage approach to childhood obesity, particularly the third step which is founded upon a multi-disciplinary approach which will help us (Ministry of Health) in our policy implementation."

Likewise RIPAS hospital dietician, Dr Cassandra Yee said that the MPOWER model could help Brunei apply new things to combat obesity.

The workshop also offered her a chance to network and see how other government departments are dealing with obesity.

Dr Woolford earned rave reviews from the attendees. Many of them wish for her to return to the Sultanate to further collaborate on combating obesity in Brunei.

Delving into her experience of conducting the workshop, Dr Woolford commented, "I was really impressed by the knowledge base and resources that are ready and present in Brunei and the fact that there is such a desire from all the different ministries to work together to solve this problem.

"This has to be the way forward to come up with a solution to childhood obesity in Brunei."

She added that she is most looking forward to how the health and education ministries will progress forward.

She is open to the prospect of returning to see how things work out.

The idea for the workshop and the invitation to Dr Woolford was the brainchild of UBD researcher Dr Nik Ani Afiqah Tuah.

She had visited Michigan and was taken in by Dr Woolford's programme which aims for a holistic approach beyond the traditional medical treatment of obesity.

"I wanted to use this (the MPOWER programme) to our advantage. I wanted to learn what they have done at Michigan and bring it to Brunei to see if we can adopt some strategies.

"With the innovative use of technology, psychology and social ecology, I thought it would be excellent to have Dr Woolford over."

Dr Nik Ani Afiqah concluded, "This can be our niche market, as even in this very competitive region, I have not seen any research or studies yet incorporating such a holistic approach to obesity."

The Brunei Times