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Tertiary paediatric obesity services in Australia
Pamela J Spilchak1, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, Lesley King
1NSW Centre for Overweight and Obesity, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|January 16, 2008
Summary
Paediatric obesity services in Australian tertiary care are scarce and insufficient. These limited services primarily support severe paediatric obesity cases, with long waiting times and a focus on nutrition over physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Paediatric Endocrinology
- Healthcare Services Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern globally and in Australia.
- Tertiary care services play a crucial role in managing complex paediatric obesity cases.
- Understanding the current landscape of these services is vital for strategic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the availability and characteristics of paediatric obesity services in Australian tertiary care settings.
- To identify gaps in service provision across different Australian states and territories.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to clinicians providing paediatric obesity services across Australia.
- Snowball sampling was used to identify and survey additional service providers.
- Data were collected on service scope, patient demographics, referral rates, waiting times, and staffing models.
Main Results:
- Only nine services were identified across three Australian states/territories.
- Services cater to children and adolescents with severe obesity, receiving an average of 12 new referrals monthly.
- Average waiting times for appointments are 5 months, with multidisciplinary teams often prioritizing nutrition over physical activity.
Conclusions:
- Current tertiary paediatric obesity services in Australia are inadequate to address the rising incidence and prevalence of this condition.
- There is an urgent need to prioritize the development and expansion of these specialized services within the Australian health system.
- Addressing paediatric obesity and its comorbidities requires a robust and accessible tertiary care infrastructure.
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