GPs 'Struggle With Child Obesity'

‘We're talking about an obesity epidemic - the people who go to the GP are the tip of the iceberg.’ ‘We need to look at the availability of healthy food, safe places to play, how often children have physical exercise in the curriculum.’ A Department of Heath spokesman said childhood obesity is one of the biggest health challenges we face. ‘There is no one group that can solve it on its own and we do not expect primary care professionals will treat and support all overweight and obese children.’ ‘We are committed to supporting GPs and other healthcare professionals so they are equipped to raise the issue of weight with their patients, to provide advice and, where necessary, to refer people on to suitable services that will meet their needs.’ Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: ‘The problem is there simply aren't enough 'suitable services' to cope. ‘Family-based approaches can be effective. But we need many more specially trained healthy eating and physical activity advisors if we're at all serious about helping the large numbers of very overweight children.’”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8226651.stm