Current status of multi-disciplinary paediatric weight management services in Australia.

Aim: To identify multi-disciplinary paediatric weight management services currently available in Australia and determine gaps in service provision for children and adolescents with obesity.

Methods: Surveys were distributed to 17 identified Australian multi-disciplinary paediatric weight management services. A representative from each service was asked to complete an online survey regarding service and patient characteristics, assessment and management practices, and professional development approaches.

Results: Representatives from 16 multi-disciplinary paediatric weight management services completed the survey. Fourteen services were based in major metropolitan cities and two in regional areas. Fourteen services provided care to pre-school aged children (0-4 years old), 15 to primary school aged children (5-12 years old) and 13 to high school aged children (13-18 years old). The number of patients seen per year per service ranged from 20 to 250 and duration of waiting lists ranged from 2 months to more than 12 months.

Conclusions: The current availability and accessibility of multi-disciplinary paediatric weight management services is inadequate to service Australian children and adolescents with obesity, particularly those with severe obesity and those in rural and remote communities. To better address the issue of paediatric obesity, establishment of additional multi-disciplinary services, training for health-care professionals and monitoring of the provision of evidence-based care is urgently needed.