Height and weight data are recorded insufficiently at student health care clinics

Background The aim of the study was to research the coverage of height and weight data among upper secondary education students in the Primary Health Care Visits register (Avohilmo). In addition, we evaluated the suitability of Avohilmo’s data for nationwide monitoring of the prevalence of overweight in students in upper secondary education and for studying differences in the prevalence of overweight in students at high schools and vocational institutions.

Methods All visits of 16–17-year-olds to student health care clinics between January 2018 and December 2019 were extracted from Avohilmo. The prevalence of overweight was assessed in municipalities where the coverage of growth data was at least 50%. Overweight, obesity and severe obesity were defined according to the criteria of the Finnish children's weight index (ISO-BMI).

Results The coverage of growth data was at least 50% in 71 municipalities (23% of municipalities). In boys the prevalence of overweight was 28%, of obesity 10% and of severe obesity 3%. The corresponding proportions in girls were 22%, 6% and 1%.

Conclusions Avohilmo can be used for monitoring the prevalence of overweight in upper secondary education students but recording and data transfer from electronic patient records to Avohilmo still needs to be improved.

Päivi Mäki, Nina Vuorela, Susanna Lehtinen-Jacks, Esko Levälahti, Johanna Jahnukainen, Timo Koskela, Antti Saari, Sanna-Mari Saukkonen, Kaisa Mölläri, Raimo Mahkonen, Satu Männistö, Tiina Laatikainen

Päivi Mäki

M.Sc. (Health Care), Development Manager

Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare