New research, led by Dr Katrina Turner from the University's Department of Community Based Medicine, has assessed primary care practitioners' views and experiences of treating childhood
obesity.
The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, posing a long-term threat to future health. In 2006 the Department of Health and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the management of childhood obesity for use by primary care practitioners. Little is known, however, about practitioners' views and experiences of managing childhood obesity in primary care.
Research, led by Dr Katrina Turner from the University's Department of Community Based Medicine, assessed primary care practitioners' views and experiences of treating childhood obesity. It concluded that practitioners do not currently view primary care as an effective treatment setting for childhood obesity and it is unlikely that the guidance from the Department of Health and NICE will have a meaningful impact on their management of this condition.