'Since the pandemic, weight issues have gone through the roof. We are really still just trying to get obesity levels back to pre-Covid rates' ellieapeake speaks to a doctor at a childhood obesity clinic about what more needs to be done
Hospital admissions of obese children have nearly tripled in a decade, rising from 3,370 in 2012 to 9,431 in 2022. Now,is opening 10 more specialist clinics to help children suffering from weight-related health complications.
Dr Senthil Senniappan has been a pediatric consultant at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool for nine years and is now the Clinical Lead for complex obesity at the hospital’s clinic for obese children. Here he tells thehas a high obesity rate. As a result, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital was one of the first 15 hospitals to set up a childhood obesity clinic when they were introduced in November 2021. We were joined by hospitals across England. So far, we have seen over 150 patients here.
And yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Demand is huge but we are only seeing a small proportion of children because these clinics are still very new. There has been a lack of support for these children for a long time. The clinics are hoping to change that. Usually in the year before they come to us, they have gained about 30kg in weight. This can be really difficult for them. They face a lot of stigma. I have seen how much it affects them. This stigma often stops them from coming and getting the help they need. Butshould not define somebody. It’s a condition. For these children, the way we talk about it is a big deal.
On a typical day, I will see about six to eight children. Today I saw children with hormonal issues, but I also helped some young people with weight management. The clinic begins at 9am. As a team, we will discuss the patients who are booked in. We look at what complications we need to screen for and what treatment we can offer. Then we make a plan for them before they arrive.
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