The increase in prevalence of obesity among children is a worldwide problem. Obesity in childhood is associated with long term morbidity and mortality. A sustainable and effective program for treatment of childhood obesity is important. Prevention is always better than cure, promotion of healthy lifestyle should also be a common goal by different stakeholders in the community.
From September to November 2018, I underwent a three month clinical fellowship at the Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Canada. During these three months, I had the opportunity to participate in the care of paediatric patients suffering from endocrine diseases and know the model of obesity care in the British Columbia.
“Shapedown” , BC province’s free obesity program, is a family centred, multi-disciplinary program which accommodats the complexity of behaviors and/or cognitive skills as well as the need for enhanced support for behavior change. The team workers include family physician, dietician, mental health specialist and exercise specialist. The target is to promote active living and healthy eating through a no-diet, holistic approach. Both participants and their parents are assessed before joining the program that they are prepared to make changes and attend on a regular basis. The program is in partnership with YMCAs and recreation centres, for encouraging physical activities and family participation.
In British Columbia, Canada, SCOPE ( Sustainabe Childhood Obesity Prevention through Community Engagement) is a community program focusing on the spread of message of “Live 5-2-1-0” to prevent the occurrence of obesity . The “ Live 5-2-1-0” messages include daily targets of : i) Enjoy 5 or more portions of vegetables and fruits; ii) No more than 2 hours of screen time; iii) Play actively for at least 1 hour and iv) Zero sugar-sweetened drinks.
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