Almost a quarter of UK GPs are seeing obese children aged four and under
Exclusive: Almost half of GPs have seen children up to the age of seven who have obesity, research finds
TL;DR
- Almost 23% of UK GPs have seen obese children aged 0-4.
- 49% of GPs have seen obese children up to age seven, including some under one year old.
- Four out of five GPs find it challenging to discuss obesity with children or their parents.
- Concerns about parental upset, anger, shame, or complaints hinder conversations about a child's weight.
- Complex factors like poverty and lack of activity contribute to childhood obesity.
- GPs observe adults, including those with eating disorders, obtaining weight loss drugs privately without meeting eligibility criteria.
- Two-thirds of GPs have seen patients use weight loss drugs despite not meeting eligibility rules.
- 92% of GPs view obesity as a defining public health challenge, and 95% believe it will impact the NHS.
- 59% of GPs think weight loss drugs will save the NHS money.