Children and young people who suffer from obesity will receive full reimbursement for their treatment with a dietician from 1 December, Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke announced.
Around one in five (19%) children and young people (2-17 years old) in Belgium are overweight; almost 6% suffer from obesity. For adults these percentages increase to 49% and 16%, respectively.
"Obesity is a chronic disease, which, like all other chronic diseases, deserves the best and, above all, the right and affordable care. With this care programme, which mainly focuses on young people with severe obesity, we are taking a first step to combat this chronic to tackle the disease better," Vandenbroucke said.
To give the right treatment to children and young people with severe obesity, a new care process will ensure that they and their families receive tailor-made care. This process will be based on a multidisciplinary approach within hospitals working in collaboration with primary care providers.
Putting children at the centre
25 Pediatric Multidisciplinary Obesity Centers (PMOC) will be established in Belgium to offer this specialised multidisciplinary treatment. If necessary (and in consultation with the GP), obese children can be intensively supervised by a team of paediatricians, psychologists, physiotherapists, dietitians and social assistants.
The treatment programme will be fully reimbursed (with the possible exception of the costs of specific consultations with the centre paediatrician or any prescribed medications).
"We put the child and the family at the centre of this process and we will not let them go," Vandenrboucke said. "The multidisciplinary collaboration between the different levels of care must ensure that a child or young person with severe obesity receives the best possible treatment."
Obesity is a chronic and complex condition that can be caused by various factors, whether heredity, eating too much/unhealthy food, a lack of exercise, and some medications. It significantly impacts quality of life and can have physical, psychological and social consequences for the patient.
Credit: Belga/Siska Gremmelprez
"The organisation and financing of these specialised centres is an important step towards better treatment of children and young people with severe obesity. It is paramount that overweight and obesity are prevented and are detected early... Expanding diet advice for overweight children and young people and making it free is an important step in this regard," Vandenbroucke added.
In the first year, the Federal Government aims for 5,000 children and young people with (severe) obesity who can use these obesity centres. That number could rise to 7,500 in the second year after the plan's progress has been evaluated.
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A total of €11 million has been allocated for the measures. Vandenbroucke stressed that prevention will still take the centre ground, in cooperation with the regions.
"Prevention is always better than cure. If a child becomes overweight, you must ensure that they do not become obese. If a child is obese, you must prevent them from developing complications. Ideally, we ensure that children, through sufficient exercise and good nutritional habits, do not become overweight."
