Child to Healthier Weight approach

Providing appropriate and effective support and care to children and families where overweight and obesity is an issue. This succeeds with a cross-domain view and integrated approach. That is why we developed the National model chain approach for overweight and obese children, drawing on scientific knowledge and practical experiences. It is based on the national care standard, which emerged from the national guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity. Here you will discover information about the Child to Healthy Weight approach. Please be advised that most materials, except for the scientific articles, are in Dutch, unless stated otherwise.

Scientific articles

1. van den Eynde, E., van der Voorn, B., Koetsier, L., Raat, H., Seidell, J. C., Halberstadt, J., & van den Akker, E. L. T. (2024). Healthcare professionals' perspectives on the barriers and facilitators of childhood obesity care within integrated care. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), 1133.
   • Dutch abstract
2. Van den Eynde, E. (2023). The need for a tailored approach within integrated childhood obesity care. PhD-Thesis - Doctoral Thesis, Erasmus University Rotterdam.
3. Koetsier, L. W. (2023) The development and implementation of integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity in the Netherlands. PhD-Thesis - Research and graduation internal, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
4. Halberstadt, J., Koetsier, L.W., Sijben, M., Stroo, J., van der Velde, M., van Mil, E. & Seidell, J.C. (2023).'The development of the Dutch National model integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity'. BMC Health Serv Res 23(1):359.
   • Dutch abstract
5. de Pooter, N., van den Eynde, E., Raat, H. J., Seidell, J., van den Akker, E. L. T. & Halberstadt, J. (2022) ' Perspectives of healthcare professionals on facilitators, barriers and needs in children with obesity and their parents in achieving a healthier lifestyle'. PEC Innovation 1, 100074.
   • Dutch abstract
6. Koetsier, L.W., Boutalab, L., Seidell, J.C., Baan. C.A. & Halberstadt J. (2024) Training for coordinating professionals as part of the Dutch integrated care approach for childhood overweight and obesity - a mixed-method evaluation. Journal of Health Science and Education, 8(1): 1-13.
   • Dutch abstract
7. Koetsier, L., Jacobs, M., Halberstadt, J., Sijben, M., Zonneveld, N. & Minkman, M. (2020) The development of a tool to monitor integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity. Journal of Integrated Care.
8. Seidell, J.C. & Halberstadt, J. (2020). National and Local Strategies in the Netherlands for Obesity Prevention and Management in Children and Adolescents. Obesity Facts.
9. Grootens-Wiegers, P., van den Eynde, E., Halberstadt, J., Seidell, J.C. & Dedding, C. (2020). The "Stages Towards Completion Model": what helps and hinders children with overweight or obesity and their parents to be guided towards, adhere to and complete a group lifestyle intervention. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 15(1), 1735093, DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2020.1735093.

Guideline, standard and model

1. Sijben, M., Koehoorn, J. & Halberstadt, J. (2021) Realising local approaches for overweight and obese children; a guide for initiators, project leaders and network directors. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
2. Sijben, M., van der Velde, M., van Mil, E., Stroo, J. & Halberstadt, J. (2018) National model chain approach for overweight and obese children; Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
   • Summary National model chain approach for overweight and obese children (2019). Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
   • Summary National model integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity. (2019). Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
3. Sijben, M. & van der Velde, M. (2018) Funding appendix to National model chain approach for children with overweight and obesity. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.

Fact sheets and notes.

1. Van der Voorn, B., Koetsier, L.W. & Halberstadt, J. (May 2023) Summary ratio use of obesity medication and bariatric surgery to KnGG approach. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
2. Grootens, R., Van den Eynde, E., Halberstadt, J., Niemer, S., Seidell, J.C. & Dedding, C. (October 2018) Tipsheet: What makes overweight or obese children start and complete a lifestyle intervention? Amsterdam: Care for Obesity and Athena Institute.
3. Halberstadt, J. & Sijben, M. (April 2017) Successful towards local chain approach for the overweight or obese child: Fact sheet pilot project of Care for Obesity. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.

Tools

1. Guideline regional implementation phase Child to Healthier Weight. Revised version (June 2025). The Hague: Child to Healthier Weight & Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
2. Profile of regional coordinator Child to Healthier Weight. Revised version (June 2025). The Hague: Child to Healthier Weight & Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
3. Sijben, M., Koehoorn, J. & Stroo, J. (March 2019) Tool handout: Overview of possible change issues. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
4. Sijben, M., Koehoorn, J. & Stroo, J. (March 2019) Resource handout: Overview of key reasons to engage in a different approach for overweight children. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
5. Jacobs, M., Sijben, M. & Halberstadt, J. (March 2019) Module monitoring chain approach for overweight and obese children. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
6. Jacobs, M., Sijben, M., Stroo, J., Koetsier, L., Halberstadt, J., Zonneveld, N. & Minkman, M. (March 2019). Tool handout: Quick scan stakeholders project organisation. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
   • Sample report: Quick scan stakeholders project organisation.
   • English version: Tool to monitor the local Integrated Care for Childhood overweight and Obesity (TICCO) Questionnaire for professionals involved in the project organisation.
7. Jacobs, M., Sijben, M., Stroo, J., Koetsier, L., Halberstadt, J., Zonneveld, N. & Minkman, M. (March 2019). Tool handout: Quickscan for implementing professionals. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
8. Jacobs, M., Sijben, M., Stroo, J., Koetsier, L. , Halberstadt, J., Zonneveld, N. & Minkman, M. (March 2019). Resource guide: Format Quickscan chain approach. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
9. Sijben, M., Van Mil, E., Van der Velde, M., Moerman, I., Koetsier, L. & Halberstadt, J. (February 2019) Animated film Support and care for overweight and obese children. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
10. Koehoorn, J., Sijben, M. & Stroo, J. (December 2018) Tool handout: project leader profile. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
11. Sijben, M. & Stroo, J. (December 2018) Resource handout: Analysis of activities and professionals. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
12. Koehoorn, J., Sijben, M. & Stroo, J. (December 2018). Resource handout: Format project plan. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
13. Koehoorn, J., Sijben, M. & Stroo, J. (December 2018) Resource handout: Format stakeholder analysis. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.

Reports

1. IJzerman R.V.H. (2025). Findings in-depth study on the role of the regional coordinator within the Child to Healthier Weight approach. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
2. Beijer, M., Koetsier, L., Visscher, K., van Vooren, N. & Spijkerman, A. (2023). Process evaluation role Central Caregiver within the Child to Healthier Weight approach. Bilthoven: RIVM.
3. Grootens, R., Van den Eynde, E., Halberstadt, J., Niemer, S., Seidell, J. & Dedding, C. (April 2017). Rapportage Toeleiding naar en voltooiing van leefstijlinterventies voor kinderen met overgewicht en obesitas. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity and Athena Institute.
4. Noordam, H. (December 2015) Final report: Quality of life as part of care for children (4-19 years) for children with obesity. Report of a literature review and pilot on experiences in care practice, Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.

Internship reports

1. Bominaar, N. (2025) Barriers and Facilitators in the Implementation of Family-based Overweight and Obesity Care.
2. Putting, F. (2024). Regional implementation Integrated Care Approach for Childhood Overweight and Obesity.
3. Van Arkel, J. (2024). Tailoring Integrated Care and Support for Overweight and Obesity to Adolescents: From the Perspectives of Professionals Working According to the Dutch National Model.
4. De Pooter, N. (2020). A healthier lifestyle for children with obesity and their parents: perceptions of healthcare professionals.