One in seven children in the Netherlands is overweight or obese and this number has continued to increase since the corona crisis. Obesity is a complex problem and an enormous challenge for children and parents, their environment and society. An integrated approach seems promising. In ‘s-Hertogenbosch, healthcare providers in the medical domain and professionals in the social domain work together to tackle obesity, coordinated by a central healthcare provider. Network partners and central care providers are enthusiastic. Parents and children are satisfied and feel supported. However, a lack of time and insufficient capacity to optimally perform the role of central care provider hinder implementation of the approach. Tilburg University reports this.
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This is apparent from an evaluation of the integrated approach ‘Child to Healthier Weight’ in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, by researcher and doctor of society + health Sanne de Laat (Tilburg University, Tranzo and GGD Hart voor Brabant). The study results show no additional weight loss compared to regular care after a year of follow-up. It is promising that after three months the quality of life of the participating children has improved. This appears to be partly due to the deployment of the central care provider.
youth nurse
In the Child to Healthier Weight approach, the central care provider is a coach for families and coordinates care that suits the family. Ideally, this role is fulfilled by the youth nurse. The challenge is to make this role part of daily work. Lack of time, capacity and the many other priorities in youth health care are obstacles to properly performing this new role.
The Child to Healthier Weight approach has not yet been optimally implemented. This takes time and requires constant attention. One recommendation is to strengthen the role of the central care provider. For example, by facilitating training and peer supervision and by making agreements about how much time the central care providers can devote to this role. It helps if the tasks, roles and expectations of the central care provider and the other professionals in the approach are clear. The network can also be strengthened through better cooperation between the central care provider and professionals from the medical and social domain. It takes a lot to really tackle obesity and make healthy choices easy. This also requires efforts from municipalities and the national government.
By: National Care Guide
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