Evaluation of childhood obesity management in primary care setting

Mouna Elleuch; Fatma Lachtar; Hamdi Frikha; Zaineb Fourati; Yosra Majdoub; Yassmine Abdelkafi; Salah Dhoha Ben; Majdoub Nabila Rekik

doi:10.1530/endoabs.110.EP947

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Endocrine Abstracts (2025) 110 EP947 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.EP947

ECEESPE2025 ePoster Presentations Metabolism, Nutrition and Obesity (164 abstracts)

Evaluation of childhood obesity management in primary care setting

Mouna Elleuch ¹ , Fatma Lachtar ¹ , Hamdi Frikha ¹ , Zaineb Fourati ¹ , Yosra Majdoub ² , Yassmine Abdelkafi ¹ , Dhoha Ben Salah ¹ & Nabila Rekik Majdoub ¹

Author affiliations

¹Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Endocrinology, Sfax, Tunisia; ²Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Preventive & Community Medicine, Sfax, Tunisia

JOINT3430

Introduction: Childhood obesity (CO) is a major public health concern in the post-industrial era. The absence of specialized management structures or the difficulty in accessing them means that family physicians (FPs) are frequently confronted with this condition. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of FPs in managing CO.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in 2024, including FPs practicing in southern Tunisia. The study was conducted online and through direct interviews with the participating physicians. The target population for the questionnaire consisted of children under 18 years old with a BMI >2 SD.

Results: A total of 100 participants were included, with a mean age of 48.5±11 years and a female predominance (64%). The majority of the surveyed FPs (68%) had more than 10 years of clinical experience. Public sector physicians and those practicing in urban areas accounted for 59% and 52% of respondents, respectively. The evaluation practices for CO were characterized by the systematic calculation of BMI and dietary assessment in only 5% and 30% of FPs, respectively. The impact of CO was assessed by only 10% of practitioners. The main barriers reported by FPs included workload (25%) and insufficient theoretical training (35%). Management practices were primarily based on non-personalized dietary recommendations (75%) and encouragement of physical activity (55%). Most children with CO were referred to specialists, particularly adult endocrinologists (68%).

Conclusion: FPs frequently face the challenge of childhood obesity. However, its management presents several limitations in this sector, particularly regarding screening, standardized anthropometric evaluation, and dietary or potential pharmacological interventions. These limitations can be attributed to gaps in initial training, the absence of collaborative care networks, and constraints related to time and workload.