Overweight and obesity in children: towards better care

As part of the health system transformation strategy “My health 2022”, HAS has established a guide for better management of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Overweight children and adolescents are often less fulfilled and may be subject to bullying “optimizing the course of care and support for overweight and obesity is a real public health issue because of the possible psychological and social consequences” HAS said in a statement.

Early identification

Screening must take place as soon as possible thanks to the calculation of the BMI but also with regard to the growth curve. All medical examinations must be opportunities to identify this disease and care and support must be offered as soon as the diagnosis is established.

The HAS emphasizes that weight loss should not be “a priority objective” unless there are complications.

Guidance into adulthood

The HAS insists on the quality of personalized and long-term support. This support should help prepare for the transition. towards adulthood. “This issue is all the more important since if the probability that a child will remain obese in adulthood varies from 20 to 50% before puberty, it reaches 50 to 70% after puberty. Prepared long before the first consultation in adult care, this transition must help the adolescent to take care of himself and his health as independently as possible.Health professionals must gradually change their relational approach with the young person and explain the importance of this preparation for parents” adds the HAS.

This guide is a continuation of the work of the HAS and the interministerial roadmap on obesity (2019-2022).