The COPAT project – current options for the treatment of childhood obesity in the GP‘s surgery

Czech version

Authors: P. Hlavatý; H. Zamrazilová; L. Dušátková; B. Kalvachová; M. Kunešová; V. Hainer
Authors‘ workplace: Ředitel: doc. MUDr. Vojtěch Hainer, CSc. ; Endokrinologický ústav, Praha
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2010; 90(2): 86-89
Category: Of different specialties

Overview

Introduction:
Increasing prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents is associated with increased cardiometabolic risks later in life. Efficient treatment of obesity in childhood and adolescence prevents the development of metabolic syndrome in young adults. Comprehensive care of obese/overweight children and adolescents requires special attitudes and treatment methods that differ from those employed in obese adult patients. One of the goals of a new project COPAT (Childhood Obesity Prevalence and Treatment) was to characterize the currently available diagnostic and treatment tools in childhood obesity in primary care. This paper reports on a survey on obesity management that was conducted among paediatricians.

Methods:
Primary care paediatricians (n = 637) were addressed and asked to fill in a questionnaire on their current abilities and approaches for diagnosing and treating obesity in children and adolescents.

Results:
Forty one percent of the primary care paediatricians addressed responded. Our survey revealed that only 36.8 % of respondents intentionally treat obese children. Most physicians emphasized that the quality of care for an obese child has been substantially affected by time constraints for this demanding procedure. Sixty five percent of physicians declared that they have only 10-15 minutes available for each visit of an obese child. Forty two percent of respondents considered about 30 minutes as adequate time for examination of an obese child, whereas 30 % recommended an even lengthier examination. Only one fifth of respondents achieved appropriate weight loss and/or improvement in the metabolic and hormonal profile in their patients. Over 50 % respondents reported failure in obesity management.

Conclusion:
The survey conducted among paediatricians revealed inadequate care of obese children in primary care. Taking into account all the serious consequences of childhood obesity, a greater emphasis should be placed on the development of a comprehensive obesity management system, which should include obesity specialists, dietitians, physiatrists and psychologists in addition to the trained primary care paediatricians

Key words:
obesity, children, adolescents, questionnaire, treatment, Childhood Obesity Prevalence and Treatment (COPAT).

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