Doctors urged to measure children’s body mass index

Obese children pose the threat of a “disease burden” to the population and their parents often do not recognise obesity in their children, they said.

Since children use primary care services about once a year, GPs should use the opportunity to measure their BMI, according to the researchers at University College London’s Institute of Child Health.

They made their comments after a study, published on bmj.com, found that obese children have a significantly higher chance of getting heart disease than children of a normal weight.

In an accompanying editorial, Professor Russell Viner and research fellow Lee Hudson write: “Children in most countries visit primary care about once a year, and parents often do not recognise obesity or the associated risks,” they continued.

“Opportunistic measurement of BMI and comorbidities related to obesity in primary care may be a useful first step in helping families move towards tackling childhood obesity.”