Despite solid policy development, the proportion of children above a healthy weight continues to rise. Nurses, comprising over 50 per cent of the health workforce, are uniquely positioned to identify at-risk children, educate families, and combat 
weight stigma. The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) supports policies ensuring every school-aged child has access to a qualified nurse and recommends reforms to prioritise nurse-led care models. This position statement builds on ACN’s previous publications in this space. 

Recommendations

1. Every school-aged child in Australia has access to a suitably qualified registered nurse.
2. Reform of current healthcare funding models to prioritise nurse-led models of care for areas that intersect nurses and children.
3. The normalisation of collection and discussion of height and weight data of all children, with longitudinal mapping on WHO recommended growth charts.
4. Empowering the nursing workforce via professional development to identify children at risk and provide timely, sensitive interventions targeting a whole-family approach to improve eating and activity behaviours.