Let’s Talk Weight

A step-by-step guide to conversations about weight management with children and families for health and care professionals. The 26th of October is observed as the World Obesity Day every year. Obesity is a global health issue and has taken an epidemic proportions.

Why talk about weight

The role of health and Care professionals in child and family weight management. As a health or care professional, you are in a unique position to talk to young and old people with excess weight (overweight and very overweight), that you come into contact with through your work, about weight management to prevent ill-health.
Children and young people with excess weight (overweight or very overweight) are more likely to be ill, be absent from school due to illness and require additional health care support than children and young people of a healthy weight.

Some of these children and young people (very overweight, also referred to as obese) are more likely to become obese adults and have a higher risk of morbidity, disability and premature mortality in adulthood.
Excess weight in childhood can be associated with conditions such as bone and joint problems, pre-diabetes, poor psychological and emotional health and many children and young people experience bullying linked to their weight.