Week 6 Child Obesity

Question 1

Preventing and managing child obesity

Answer 1

Obesity risks begin very early:

• early intervention is crucial - especially in disadvantaged families
• role of parents in providing food and shaping behaviours
• higher rates of obesity on disadvantaged families poorly understood
• “Role of PHC”: almost universal access but substantial barrier reported

Question 2

Risk factors for child chronic disease in the context of obesity

Answer 2

1st - Insulin
2nd - ALT: alanine transaminase (is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. They release ALT into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged)
3rd - HDL: high-density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver)

Question 3

Obesity management in children

Answer 3

• Primary goal: halt weight gin and allow the child to “grow into” their weight
• Weight management can:
  > prevent development of short term complications eg musculoskeletal, psychological …
  > prevent ling term conditions eg CVD, fatty liver, T2DM
  > prevent progression to adult obesity
• Management may differ with age and degree of obesity

Question 4

5 As

Answer 4

ASSESS: BMI, diet, physical activity, parental readiness to change

ADVICE: simple clear messages

AGREE: Agree upon goals for changes in diet, activity

ASSIST: Offer tips, suggestions and resources

ARRANGE: Follow-up & referrals

Question 5

Conversation - How do I tell the parent?

Answer 5

Telling a parent that their child is above a healthy weight may be perceived as “bad news”.

Long term effects of obesity make it an important conversation!