Pediatricians’ Interventions Aimed to Reduce Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents in Primary Healthcare in Poland. A Cross-sectional Study
, , , e | 07 giu 2024
Pubblicato online: 07 giu 2024
Pagine: 1 - 38
Ricevuto: 27 mar 2024
Accettato: 06 mag 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jhsm-2024-0001
Parole chiave
© 2024 Michał Szulc et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Background
Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents are associated with serious health problems and a higher risk of obesity in adults.
Objectives
This study aimed to determine how often pediatricians identify the condition of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents based on anthropometric measurements. The researchers also wanted to obtain information on counseling provided by pediatricians regarding diet and physical activity in patients.
Material and methods
In 2022, an observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 55 pediatricians working in primary health care sector in the city of Lodz. An anonymous questionnaire consisted of sections regarding the characteristics of the treated patient population, barriers and improvements in the process of patient assessment, control, and management, as well as the health status and health behaviors of pediatricians.
Results
About 90.9% of the pediatricians declared that they measured body weight on a scale. Similarly, 89.1% of them measured body height. Among the surveyed doctors, 67.3% calculated waist circumference or the ratio of waist-to-hip ratio. All the pediatricians provided advice on diet/eating habits and physical activity to both healthy and overweight/obese patients. In most cases, the study participants indicated that this counseling was provided „often” (83.6%). Only every tenth pediatrician provided detailed dietary advice and every sixth detailed advice on physical activity at each patient visit. A higher chance of providing dietary advice to children and adolescents was observed among pediatricians providing ≤ 100 patient visits during a routine work week (OR = 5.13; p < 0.05). Normal BMI (OR = 12.35; p < 0.05) and having ≤ 100 patient visits per week during a routine work week (OR = 8.28; p < 0.05) were significant correlates of physical activity advice.
Conclusions
Pediatricians should perform accurate anthropometric measurements to prevent obesity in children and adolescents. During each patient visit, the pediatrician should give advice on diet and physical activity.