Seeking GPs interest in research involving childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is quickly becoming a concerning health epidemic in our society, with statistics indicating that by 2025, half of all young Australians will be overweight.

In response to the growing need to reduce the number of children affected by obesity, Dr Gary Leong, Staff Specialist at the Mater Children's Hospital has partnered with South East Alliance of General Practice Brisbane (SEA-GP), Scouts Queensland, The University of Queensland, Mater Foundation and the Institute for Molecular Biosciences to develop the KOALA Childhood Obesity Program.

KOALA stands for:
Kinder: for children and families
Overweight: for overcoming and being OK!
Activity: for an Active Mind and an Active Body
Lifestyle: for a living life-giving diet
Actions: for all together and ahead we look

SEA-GP (Brisbane) is seeking expressions of interest from general practitioners who are members of SEA-GP and are interested in participating in this program. Interested GPs will receive training, resources and support to effectively identify and support children at risk from beign overweight and obese. These GPs will also be involved in screening and referring families affected by child obesity to the KOALA Program.

GPs involved in this program will benefit from improved access to and communication with referral services for managing overweight and obesity in children at Mater Children's Hospital and within the community. Families who are referred from GPs will be offered a community-based lifestyle and behaviour change education program that utilises the Scouts Queensland facilities and leadership training resources, as well as the Lifestyle Triple P Program. Families will also be supported by a tertiary based multi-disciplinary clinic at Mater Children's Hospital.

For further information, please contact Ms Helen Elliott, SEA-GP on +61 7 3163 6150 or email helliott@seagp.org.au