Endocrine Abstracts

The PHA’s Children’s Health in Northern Ireland 2023/24 report highlighted that Northern Ireland ‘NI’ has the highest level of obesity in Primary 1 children in the UK. Using the International Obesity Task Force Classification, they cited that 21% of Primary 1 children and 27% of Year 8 children were measured as overweight or obese in 2023/4. Despite these figures there is no paediatric obesity service in NI. This audit assesses the prevalence and management of obesity in children and young people (CYP) aged 12 years and over, who were booked to attend general paediatric outpatient clinics over a 6-month period (June 24-November 24) in the tertiary children’s hospital in NI. 509 patients were included in the audit. n = 273, 53.6% were female and n = 236, 46.4% were male. 359 of these patients had their weight and height recorded. n = 87, 24.2% (95%CI 20.3-28.7) had a BMI >95thcentile. n = 66, 18.4% (95%CI 14.8-22.3) had a BMI >98th centile and n = 40, 11.1% (95%CI 7.8-14.8) had a BMI >99.6th centile. n = 33, 9.2% (95%CI6.1-12.5) had a BMI >30. Of those with a BMI >98th centile, in 33% of the consultations obesity was addressed (95%CI 23.1-45.4); only 4 of these CYP were referred due to weight. Diet was addressed in 39% (95%CI 28.5-51.5) of the consultations, activity levels in 36% (95%CI 25.8-48.4) and sleep in 17% (95%CI 9.4-27.6). 56% (95%CI 44.1-67.4) had their blood pressure recorded, 30% (95%CI 20.5-42.3) were screened for diabetes, 53% had their LFTs checked (95%CI 41.2-64.6) and 23% had an ultrasound of their liver done (95%CI 14.2-34.3) with 73% of the scans performed showing fatty infiltrates (95%CI 47.6-89.5). 17% had their lipids checked (95%CI 9.4-27.6), 52% had their TFTs checked (95%CI 39.7-63.2). Of those with a blood pressure recorded, in 30% (95%CI 17.4-45.9) it was >95th centile for sex, age and height. 65.08% (95%CI 52.8-76.0) of these CYP with a BMI >98th centile were in the 1st quartile deprivation index. This audit highlights the urgent need for a paediatric obesity service in NI, there is not the capacity within busy general paediatrics clinics for obesity and its implications to be addressed in full.