Childhood obesity: knowledge, attitudes, and practices of European pediatric care providers

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a significant global health concern.
• Effective management requires robust primary healthcare interventions.
• Variations in healthcare systems across Europe necessitate comparative studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the attitudes, skills, and practices of primary healthcare providers in managing childhood obesity.
• To identify barriers to effective childhood obesity management in diverse European healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to primary healthcare providers across France, Italy, Poland, and Ukraine.
• 1119 participants completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 32.4%.

Main Results:

• Most providers acknowledged their vital role in obesity management but reported insufficient competence.
• Adherence to recommended practices like regular measurements and BMI calculation was low.
• Providers expressed a strong need for continuing education, particularly in dietary counseling.

Conclusions:

• National guidelines for childhood obesity management are inadequately implemented across European countries.
• The primary challenge lies in establishing effective support systems for practitioners, rather than guideline development.
• Enhancing primary care provider support is essential for improving childhood obesity management outcomes.