A GP Visit Is A Good Start In The Battle Against Obesity, Australia

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 13 Jul 2004 - 10:00 PDT

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AMA (Australian Medical Association) President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that visiting the local GP could set individuals and families on the road to victory in the battle against obesity, especially childhood obesity.

Dr Glasson said GPs are an important part of disease prevention in our community and they can provide sound advice for fitter and healthier lifestyles.

"Many parents attend local Maternal and Child Health clinics to check the growth and development of their babies, but this practice tends to fall off when the children get older," Dr Glasson said.

"Ongoing health surveillance is an important part of keeping all children well.

"An essential part of preventive medicine is the ongoing assessment of children for any potential health and developmental problems.

"This means that potential problems can be recognised and corrected before they become serious.

"Ongoing assessment of a child's weight for height and age identifies children who are at risk of becoming overweight or obese.

"This is currently an important public health issue. Family doctors have a pivotal role in the prevention of childhood obesity. It is the family doctor who will notice the child is gaining too much weight - even when the child is visiting the doctor for another reason.

"Now is the time for preventive activities to be implemented, for nutrition and exercise information to be given to parents, and for support programs to be put into place.

"Prevention of childhood obesity is also prevention of adult chronic diseases. So a timely intervention by the family doctor will go a long way to preventing cardio-vascular disease and type 2 diabetes in adults.

"A timely intervention by a GP will also give the child a happier childhood as they will be able to join in games and other physical activities along with their friends.

"As a community and as parents it is our duty to give our kids the healthiest and fittest possible start to their lives.

"We must work together to stamp out childhood and adult obesity," Dr Glasson said.

Family Doctor Week runs from 11 to 17 July, and is supported by American Express.

Australian Medical Association

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