The earlier the management of childhood obesity, the more it is possible to reverse the trend. And faced with aworrying increase“obesity among the youngest, health insurance has reaffirmed its desire to act. Indeed, 17% of 6-17 year olds are overweight in France today, including 4% obese. In a communicated released on March 30, she announced the generalization of medical monitoring for children aged 3 to 12 at risk or overweight.
Called the “Mission rediscover your course”, the program will allow, on medical prescription, to benefit from at least three assessments (dietary, psychological and physical activity) and 18 follow-up sessions over a maximum period of two years, all 100% covered by health insurance. Experimented since 2018 in Seine-Saint-Denis, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Reunion, the program seems to have proven itself to be generalized throughout France.
Concretely, how does it work?
The program is made up of various assessments and nutritional or psychological follow-up appointments. They can be prescribed either by the child’s doctor (general practitioner, pediatrician or mother and child protection service doctor), or by a school doctor who will then redirect the child and his family to one of the 260 referenced structures. “Mission find your course”. These appointments make it possible in particular to take stock of the rhythm of life of the child, concerning his eating habits, sleep, physical activities, etc.
#Prevention | Thanks to #MissionFindYourCapTHE #insured concerned can benefit from 3 assessments and 6 follow-up sessions for 2 years with health professionals ⚕️
Support paid for 100% by the#Health Insurance and without upfront costs.
— Health Insurance (@Assur_Maladie) March 30, 2023
A program that highlights the importance ofact as soon as possible : according to the various existing studies on the subject, the probability that a child in a situation of obesity will remain so in adulthood varies from 20 to 50% before puberty and from 50 to 70% after puberty.
However, the goal is not to impose a diet to lose weight on the child, but rather to establish good lifestyle habits (diet, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to screens or sleep ) which will allow it, in the long term, to take less quickly and thus to refine while its growth continues.
What are the tips for completing the mission?
For the success of this program, the Health Insurance provides three major tips to follow:
- No pressure : give your child time and avoid talking to him about his weight all the time;
- No food is forbidden : do not overload the plates, do not force him to finish his dish and advise him to eat slowly;
- Move all year long while having fun : show him the example and move while playing, limit the time spent in front of the screens.
“Warning: ineffective and often dangerous, diets are not recommended for your child.underlines the Health Insurance.
Source :
- “Mission: find your course”: a program to prevent overweight and obesity in children, Health Insurance, March 30, 2023
