Title: Using Islamic religious settings to prevent obesity in South Asian children.
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Twenty five percent of South Asian (SA) children living in the UK are obese; this is almost 10% more than white British children. Some of this is due to their biological make-up, and some because of their lifestyle behaviours; for example research has shown that their diets are higher in sugar and fat, they spend less time being active and more time watching TV. Many SA children live in deprived areas, and deprivation is also related to higher risk of obesity. Obesity in children can lead to a high risk of disease such as heart disease and type 2-diabetes in adulthood. A recent search found that only five studies world-wide had tested the effectiveness of obesity prevention programmes for SA children. These studies had mixed results; all of the programmes were based in schools and they included little or no parental involvement. Parent and family involvement is essential in addressing childhood obesity. Religious settings may be a better place than schools to engage parents, the wider family and community in obesity prevention for SA children. Most SA children in the UK are of Islamic faith. Islamic Religious Settings (IRS) include Mosques (mainly attended by men), Madrasas (Islamic schools where children are taught daily) and Women s circles (groups where women meet to study Islam). This research aims to explore whether IRS are a good setting for an obesity prevention programme for SA children aged 5-11 years old. We will search scientific texts and specialist reports to investigate how programmes that aim to improve health have been set-up in IRS before. We will also contact Local Authorities and voluntary sector organisations who deliver programmes like this in areas of England with high SA populations. We will find out how many SA children attend IRS, and how frequently by asking children in regular schools to complete a questionnaire. We will work with a panel of obesity experts and Muslim community members to decide what things an obesity prevention programme for SA children should aim to change. We will conduct interviews with individuals and groups including IRS leaders, workers and volunteers to find out if they are receptive and if their setting has capacity to run an obesity prevention programme. We will interview parents and children to find out if they think an obesity prevention programme run in IRS is acceptable. If the research indicates that IRS would be a good setting for an obesity prevention programme we will apply for a Programme Grant for Applied Research to develop such a programme and test its effectiveness. The programme would be developed with people who work in IRS, parents, and the Muslim community to make sure it is suitable for Muslim children and their families.

Lay abstract: Twenty five percent of South Asian (SA) children living in the UK are obese; this is almost 10% more than white British children. Some of this is due to their biological make-up, and some because of their lifestyle behaviours; for example research has shown that their diets are higher in sugar and fat, they spend less time being active and more time watching TV. Many SA children live in deprived areas, and deprivation is also related to higher risk of obesity. Obesity in children can lead to a high risk of disease such as heart disease and type 2-diabetes in adulthood. A recent search found that only five studies world-wide had tested the effectiveness of obesity prevention programmes for SA children. These studies had mixed results; all of the programmes were based in schools and they included little or no parental involvement. Parent and family involvement is essential in addressing childhood obesity. Religious settings may be a better place than schools to engage parents, the wider family and community in obesity prevention for SA children. Most SA children in the UK are of Islamic faith. Islamic Religious Settings (IRS) include Mosques (mainly attended by men), Madrasas (Islamic schools where children are taught daily) and Women s circles (groups where women meet to study Islam). This research aims to explore whether IRS are a good setting for an obesity prevention programme for SA children aged 5-11 years old. We will search scientific texts and specialist reports to investigate how programmes that aim to improve health have been set-up in IRS before. We will also contact Local Authorities and voluntary sector organisations who deliver programmes like this in areas of England with high SA populations. We will find out how many SA children attend IRS, and how frequently by asking children in regular schools to complete a questionnaire. We will work with a panel of obesity experts and Muslim community members to decide what things an obesity prevention programme for SA children should aim to change. We will conduct interviews with individuals and groups including IRS leaders, workers and volunteers to find out if they are receptive and if their setting has capacity to run an obesity prevention programme. We will interview parents and children to find out if they think an obesity prevention programme run in IRS is acceptable. If the research indicates that IRS would be a good setting for an obesity prevention programme we will apply for a Programme Grant for Applied Research to develop such a programme and test its effectiveness. The programme would be developed with people who work in IRS, parents, and the Muslim community to make sure it is suitable for Muslim children and their families.

Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: METABOLIC AND ENDOCRINE;CARDIOVASCULAR;STROKE;ORAL AND GASTROINTESTINAL;CANCER AND NEOPLASMS