[Overweight and obesity in children: a crucial role for GPs].

Abstract

General practice is a unique setting to identify overweight and obesity in children. General Practitioners (GPs) can play an important role to signal and managing overweight and obesity in children. However, GPs experience various barriers such as limited time, uncertainty about the parents' reaction and there are ambiguities about the referral options. GPs emphasized that they are in need of supportive tools to fulfill this role. Parents indicate that they are open to a conversation with the GP about their child's weight, provided that the GP is honest and respectful. In co-creation with GPs and parents a supportive tool for GPs was developed. The tool Kindopgewicht.nl consists of a child's specific BMI-calculator, weight-related conversation techniques and an intervention map with an overview of available referral options. This tool should support GPs to identify, address and refer children with overweight and obesity in daily practice.