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mitdfor training courses, resulting in a comprehen-

S76

for non-compliance were; forgetting, busy, no per-ceived benefit or worried about result. Most youthrequired parental prompting to perform SMBG. 75%had a plan for treating hyperglycaemia only oneyouth adjusted their medication according to SMBGresults.

This study highlights the low use of SMBG inyouth with type 2 diabetes regardless of treatment.The issue of perceived lack of benefit needs tobe addressed. Well designed randomised controlledtrials are urgently needed to determine the benefitof SMBG in youth with type 2 diabetes.

doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2010.09.147

O83

Health professionals lack confidence that theycan engage with children and parents about childhealthy weight sensitively and appropriately

Louise Johnson 1,∗, Josephine Chau 2, JoanneGraham 1, Lesley King 2, Louise Baur 2,3, ChristineNewman 1

1 Sydney West Area Health Service, Australia2 Physical Activity Nutrition Obesity ResearchGroup, Prevention Collaboration, University ofSydney, Australia3 The Children’s Hospital Westmead, Australia

Aim: To determine the current practices, atti-tudes and confidence of health professionals in theWestern Child Health Network, covering about one-third of metropolitan and rural New South Wales,with respect to working with children aged lessthan 12 years and their families to promote healthylifestyle and weight.

Methods: Participants (n = 178) of a professionaldevelopment training program completed a pre-training survey asking about their current practices,attitudes and confidence related to child nutrition,physical activity and healthy weight.

Results: The majority of participants indicatedpositive attitudes and confidence about workingwith children and families to deal with healthyweight, nutrition and physical activity. However,54.5% of participants expressed a lack of confi-dence that they could give parents and children

appropriate and sensitive advice about child obe-sity and weight management. Current practices andbarriers to discussing and managing child nutri-tion, physical activity and healthy weight wereidentified.

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Oral Abstracts

Conclusion: Health professionals in the Westernhild Health Network may benefit from additionalraining to help improve their practices, attitudesnd confidence when working with children agedess than 12 years and their families in dealing withealthy lifestyle and weight.

oi:10.1016/j.orcp.2010.09.148

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two year follow up investigation of course con-ent in relation to behaviour change, overweightnd obesity in nutrition, dietetics and exerciseeader training courses in Australia

.J. Mallows 1,∗, J. Walkley 2, L.S. Taylor 2, K.rigg 2

School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Aus-raliaSchool of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Aus-ralia

Background: Leading health organisations, suchs the National Health & Medical Research Coun-il (NH&MRC), recommend behaviourally-basednterventions are included in weight-managementrograms for overweight and obese individu-ls. Professional associations for nutritionists,ietitians and exercise leaders promote theirembers as being able implement efficacious

vidence-based services to individuals seekinghealthier weight. Graduates to these profes-

ions receive training through pre-service programsffered by endorsed universities and trainingrganizations.

Objective: To audit the pre-service training ofutritionists, dietitians and exercise leaders in Aus-ralia to determine congruence between the claimsf professional associations with the NH&MRCuidelines on behaviourally-based approaches ineight-management.Design: Using a desk-top audit and data mining

ethodology, 37 Universities and 1 National Train-ng package, were reviewed in early 2008 and againwo-years follow-up. Course and subject contentescriptions were obtained from on-line sources

ive searchable database. Key reference and targetords were determined for each profession a pri-ri, and subsequently applied in iterative databaseearches.