LOOK is an investigation of the links between lifestyle and health of primary school children.

2008 - Where are we up to with the LOOK study testing?

Children participating in the LOOK study took part in baseline testing in late 2005 or early 2006. From these measurements we detected one serious problem within our group of children, and some less serious ones, all of which have been attended to - a bonus of the study.

In 2007 we tested your child again between August and December 2007.

In 2008 we will be conducting further physical activity and fitness tests.

Reports

Following baseline testing reports were sent home to parents detailing results. Reports for the 2007 tests are currently being processed.

What are the benefits of participating?

All participants of the study recieve a free comprehensive health check up accompanied by a health report every 2 years. Furthermore we plan to provide ongoing opportunity for comprehensive health checks to continue into adolescence and adulthood all free of charge. There will be absolutely no costs to the school or to parents as the project is fully funded by the Commonwealth Institute. In fact half of all the schools (based on random selection) will receive free special physical education by visiting specialist physical education teachers every week at school for the whole of their primary school days.

Confidentiality

To get through the Ethics Committees we had to demonstrate our methods relating to confidentiality. Data will be stored within our computer system in number code form only. All statistical work will involve the number code and not the name of the child. Certainly individual reports will be addressed to the parent and child and will be treated as strictly confidential.

Which schools participate in the project?

30 schools in the ACT initially participated in the LOOK study. Unfortunately 2 schools closed at the end of 2006 and there are now 28 schools participating.

Ethics Committee Approval

All procedures will have been examined by Ethics Committees either at the Australian Institute of Sport and/or at the University involved. These committees are highly experienced in ensuring that all research complies with the highest standards of safety, care, purpose and confidentiality.

Duty of Care

Any child found with a measure suggesting immediate medical attention will be advised in a letter to the school or their parents as required, as part of the health report.

The major test periods

The major testing periods are in Terms 4 of year 2005, 2007, and 2009. In addition there may be some minor measurements such questionnaires height and weight, and physical activity levels, administered in the "non-assessment" years. In most cases tests will be administered to small groups of children at a time, at the school. Occasionally the whole class will be involved as part of their physical education class.

Test Information for Parents

It is our intention to make the following tests interesting, enjoyable, and educational. The class-room teacher may wish to develop health and science-based learning experiences around the tests.

1) Heart and Blood Vessel Health

We have two non-invasive indicators of blood vessel and heart structure and function.

(a) Firstly there is a routine measurement of blood pressure. Then we have measure of pulse wave velocity, an indication of "arterial stiffness". A "stiff"-walled artery is not as healthy as a more flexible artery. This is measured using a non-invasive hand-held pressure transducer softly placed on the arm

(b) An ultrasound production of images of the chambers of the heart. This is the same technology as used to image un-born babies.

2) Bone health and development

There are two scans for bone density and geometry (at The Canberra Hospital under the supervision of the Director of Nuclear Medicine). The first is called a DXA scan, and is used in hospitals to investigate bone fragility and osteoporosis. These are routinely performed with children and involve an extremely low level of radiation. A single DXA examination is equivalent to about 0.03% of the natural annual dose of radiation (due to every-day living on Earth). This is less than 1/100th of the radiation of a chest X-ray" ("Physical Activity and Bone Health" Khan and co-authors 2001). The second is called a peripheral QCT scan, and involves scans of the arm and the leg. The radiation dose of this scan is even lower than that of the DXA. No ill-effects of these scans have ever been reported and these standard techniques have already met Ethics Committee approval at the Australian Sports Commission.

3) Blood Health Indicators

One venous blood sample is to be taken every two years for indication of risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This procedure will be carried out at school. Highly experienced technical staff and nurses will take the blood sample from the arm, any discomfort being significantly minimized with the use of local anaesthetic patch applied 20 minutes before the test. Because the children are not to have had breakfast before this test, we will provide breakfast at school. Time required: 20 min per child.

4) Measuring Physical Activity

A pedometer is a device that counts the number of steps we take. The children will be provided with a pedometer and instructions and asked to wear the pedometer for 5 days at home and school.

5) Measuring Physical Performance

There are two simple performance tests, a vertical jump test and a shuttle run or "beep test". The latter involves running between two markers 20m apart so as to arrive at the marker before the recorded "beep". The interval between the beeps get progressively shorter so that after a while the subject cannot reach the marker in time and the test finishes. The more stages completed the better the running performance. This test will be carried out in the physical education class

6) Balance and coordination

A group of balance and coordination tests, aimed at measuring posture during movement. Carried out in physical education classes

7) Psychological measures

A questionnaire (to children) to assess psychological components of health and development (including self-esteem, anxiety, self-image) and family influences on physical activity. Done in class, and a questionnaire for parents.

8) Nutritional Intake

A diet diary will be provided (to parents) to assess nutritional intake. There may be an interview with parent and child to help with the questionnaire on food intake.

9) Teaching Methodology

To observe the teaching styles the visiting teachers involved in delivery of the specialist movement education programs will be videoed and interviewed during the course of the year. Class-room teachers will be interviewed and asked to fill in a questionnaire in regard to their assessment of the movement education program. Extreme care will be taken with the confidentiality of any videoed material.