March 4, 2024 - World Obesity Day
A New Center to Combat Youth Obesity
The battle against childhood obesity, a major public health challenge, has been reinforced since December 1st, 2023, by the opening of the Multidisciplinary Pediatric Center for Obesity (CMPO) at the Children's Hospital. The CMPO offers an outpatient care pathway supported by the state (INAMI), ensuring the free provision of paramedical consultations.
This new healthcare model aims to provide comprehensive and personalized care to meet the specific needs of overweight youth.
The CMPO brings together a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric surgeons, child psychiatrists, pediatric dietitians, psychologists, physiotherapists, social workers, and coordinating secretaries. Each member of this team is committed to providing comprehensive and tailored support to every child and adolescent.
A Comprehensive and Personalized Approach
The individualized care pathway offered by the CMPO includes a comprehensive annual assessment by the medical team, as well as regular consultations every 1 to 3 months. Group workshops are also available to promote social support and offer practical advice.
Aware of the complexity of childhood obesity, the medical team approaches this issue as a chronic disease influenced by various genetic, physiological, socio-economic, and environmental factors.
"Our goal is to help every child and adolescent, along with their family, adopt healthy and sustainable lifestyle habits," emphasizes the team's dietitian, Mélissa Moretti. "By focusing on the development of dietary, physical, and emotional skills, we aim to promote positive self-esteem and a healthy body image among the youth under our care."
The CMPO at the Hôpital des Enfants represents a promising new step in the fight against obesity in young people.
More information: https://www.huderf.be/en/services/child-and-adolescent-obesity