Australian General Practitioners' Perspectives on Childhood Obesity Management

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• General Practice

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue in Australia, affecting over a quarter of children aged 2-17 years.
• General Practitioners (GPs) are primary healthcare providers for children, making their role in obesity management critical.
• Understanding current GP practices, barriers, and enablers is essential for developing effective childhood obesity strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate contemporary childhood obesity management practices among Australian General Practitioners (GPs).
• To identify perceived barriers and enablers influencing GPs' ability to manage childhood obesity.
• To inform strategies for enhancing GP support in addressing this public health challenge.

Main Methods:

• A 20-question survey was developed by a multidisciplinary team and distributed to Australian GPs.
• Responses were collected via the HealthMap database using a Quality Audit Reporting System.
• Qualitative thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's methodology was applied to free-text responses.

Main Results:

• 199 GPs responded, predominantly GP Fellows, with most practicing in major cities or outer regional areas.
• Key barriers identified include difficulties engaging families, limited multidisciplinary referral pathways, inadequate public health interventions, and underutilization of national resources.
• Respondents indicated limited awareness of available resources and referral options for childhood obesity management.

Conclusions:

• Australian GPs encounter substantial challenges in managing childhood obesity.
• Enhancing the dissemination of existing services and strengthening multidisciplinary care pathways are vital.
• Improved clinical support and resource awareness can empower GPs to provide more effective obesity-targeted care for children.