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Updated: Jun 7, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Registration and management of children with overweight by general practitioners in The Netherlands
Hevy Hassan1, Jacoline van den Driest1, Angeline Bosman1
1Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
General practitioners (GPs) manage childhood overweight/obesity, but those identified incidentally receive less follow-up. This highlights a gap in care for children presenting with other issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- General Practice
Background:
- General practitioners (GPs) are key in managing childhood overweight and obesity.
- Dutch guidelines encourage GPs to proactively address weight issues.
- This study investigates GP management of pediatric overweight/obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency, management, and follow-up of pediatric overweight/obesity visits.
- To examine GP identification of overweight/obese children with other complaints.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 2827 children (aged 2-18) with overweight/obesity.
- Analysis of health records from 2012-2021.
- Comparison of children visiting for weight issues vs. those identified incidentally.
Main Results:
- Children visiting for weight issues (Group 1) received more referrals (74%) and follow-up (45.5%) than Group 2 (17% referrals, 19.7% follow-up).
- The frequency of first visits for overweight/obesity remained stable.
- 45% of identified children presented with other complaints.
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities exist in managing overweight/obese children based on the reason for their GP visit.
- Further research is needed on effective management strategies, especially for incidentally identified cases.
- The GP's role in addressing childhood obesity requires further investigation.
Background:
General practitioners (GPs) form the gateway to healthcare in numerous European countries. Their role in addressing and managing overweight/obesity in children is crucial. In Dutch guidelines, GPs are encouraged to proactively address weight-related issues during patient consultations, regardless of the initial reason of the visit.
Objective(S):
To examine the frequency, management and follow-up of GP visits of children for overweight/obesity and the identification by GPs of these children presenting with other complaints.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study. Health records from 2012-2021 in the Rijnmond Primary Care Database (RPCD) of children aged 2-18 with overweight/obesity who visited the GP were analysed. Children were categorised into two groups: those visiting for weight-related issues (group 1) and those visiting for other complaints but identified as overweight or obese by GPs (group 2). Data on patient demographics, reasons for contact, and management strategies were extracted.
Results:
From the 120,991 children, 3035 children with documented overweight or obesity were identified, 208 were excluded. The study population comprised 2827 individuals: 55% belonging to group 1, 45% to group 2. The frequency of first visits remained stable at approximately 0.5% visits per total person-years each year. Group 1 received more referrals (74%) and follow-up consultations (45.5%) than group 2 with 17% referrals and 19.7% follow-up consultations.
Conclusion:
This study highlights a concerning difference in the management of the two groups. Strategies for effective management of overweight in children and the GP's role, warrant further investigation. Especially when overweight is not the primary reason for visit.
