Re: Shared care obesity management in 3-10 year old children: 12 month outcomes of HopSCOTCH randomised trial
I read with interest the article regarding shared care obesity management in children.
The authors note "a more intensive shared care intervention might be more successful" for future efforts in reducing child obesity, yet mention the technical support required may be a limiting factor in general practice.
Obesity is a complex morbidity and requires population level strategies to counteract the associated long term health problems.(1) Children spend much of their time in school, and the current author proposes school-based interventions, utilising the expertise of appropriately qualified 'physical education' teachers for the growing burden of child obesity.
Physical education teachers, with the support of General Practitioners, could deploy targeted lessons including physical activity and nutritional education to obese children.
Exercise referral is available in the UK,(2) however efforts are required to foster the links between sports and exercise medicine and preventative, population based disease prevention strategies to counteract the burden of preventable, obesity related diseases.
Such targeted schemes may encourage life-long interests in physical activity and healthy eating at the societal level, and thus counter the effects of genetic imprinting and poor activity/dietary choices on the habitus of future generations. Therefore as medical practitioners we must forge new links with appropriately qualified physical and dietary instructors, who are able to deploy intensive weight management regimens.
(1) Kumanyika S et al. Population-Based Prevention of Obesity Circulation 2008;118:428-464.
(2) Pavey TG et al. Effect of exercise referral schemes in primary care on physical activity and improving health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2011;343:d6462
Rapid Response:
Re: Shared care obesity management in 3-10 year old children: 12 month outcomes of HopSCOTCH randomised trial
I read with interest the article regarding shared care obesity management in children.
The authors note "a more intensive shared care intervention might be more successful" for future efforts in reducing child obesity, yet mention the technical support required may be a limiting factor in general practice.
Obesity is a complex morbidity and requires population level strategies to counteract the associated long term health problems.(1) Children spend much of their time in school, and the current author proposes school-based interventions, utilising the expertise of appropriately qualified 'physical education' teachers for the growing burden of child obesity.
Physical education teachers, with the support of General Practitioners, could deploy targeted lessons including physical activity and nutritional education to obese children.
Exercise referral is available in the UK,(2) however efforts are required to foster the links between sports and exercise medicine and preventative, population based disease prevention strategies to counteract the burden of preventable, obesity related diseases.
Such targeted schemes may encourage life-long interests in physical activity and healthy eating at the societal level, and thus counter the effects of genetic imprinting and poor activity/dietary choices on the habitus of future generations. Therefore as medical practitioners we must forge new links with appropriately qualified physical and dietary instructors, who are able to deploy intensive weight management regimens.
(1) Kumanyika S et al. Population-Based Prevention of Obesity Circulation 2008;118:428-464.
(2) Pavey TG et al. Effect of exercise referral schemes in primary care on physical activity and improving health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2011;343:d6462
Competing interests: No competing interests