But one clinic in Bristol has had unprecedented success in turning back the tide of obesity in children through its pioneering research and innovative interventions.
Now the team of specialists at the Care of Childhood Obesity Clinic at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children have had their groundbreaking work recognised by the medical research charity, the BUPA Foundation, by winning the Clinical Excellence Award.
Set up in 2000, the clinic uses its medical, dietary and exercise expertise, to place the emphasis on not only the children but also their families. The team then encourages all of them to make fundamental changes in their lifestyle and behaviour.
The results have been dramatic with 83 per cent of those attending the clinic managing to reduce their BMI, a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
One example of their revolutionary approach has been the Mandometer, where a computer is connected to a set of scales which the patient fills with food. The computer then records and stores the weight loss from the plate as the patient eats and shows when they are eating more than they should be.
Dr Julian Hamilton-Shield, reader in child health at Bristol University, who leads the team, said: “Obesity is a major threat to our children and we owe it to them to do everything we can to protect their health. We’ve had great success at our clinic but there is so much more to be done if we are or prevent these obese children becoming obese adults.”
The vice-chairman of the BUPA Foundation, Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen said: “This clinic is taking the lead in the fight against childhood obesity and playing a major part in tackling this epidemic. By placing the emphasis on using specialists from all different fields, they are now reaping the success of involving both the children and their families to beat obesity.”
Dr Julian Hamilton-Shield and his team at the University of Bristol and the United Bristol Healthcare Trust were presented with the award at a ceremony at Lincoln’s Inn in London on the evening of 9 November 2006.