Australia needs to rethink its approach to treating childhood obesity because efforts over the past decade have failed, says a leading paediatrician.
In a recent article, Professor Melissa Wake says that we are going to need public health measures in much the same way as smoking and road accidents.
“Up till now most of our approaches to treating childhood obesity have been around straightforward lifestyle counselling. Something different is needed,” says Melissa.
Recent research results published by Melissa and her team from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in the British Medical Journal have revealed a new opportunity to help pinpoint what makes it possible for children to lose weight.
Melissa heads the MCRI Community Child Health Group, and is Director of Research and Associate Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.