Of children and adolescents in the Netherlands aged 4 to 17 years old, 14.2% were overweight by 2024, of which 10.6% were moderately overweight and 3.6% were severely overweight. Research shows that obese children and adolescents are five times more likely to be obese in adulthood than children and adolescents without obesity. The health-related quality of life of an obese child is comparable to that of a child with cancer. Without intervention, a new generation is at risk of growing up with serious chronic diseases and psychosocial problems.
It has been nationally agreed (written down in the agreements IZA and GALA) that before 2030, every region in the Netherlands must realize a covering, integral chain offer for obese or overweight children with comorbidities or risk factors. It is important that children and families get to the right care or caregiver in time. To this end, it is crucial that not only the right knowledge and expertise is available in the right place, but also that good cooperation structures and structural funding are in place. A well-functioning monitoring system can provide insight into the impact of the approach and how to optimize it for specific groups. In practice, this is currently lacking.
The IMPACT360°-monitor not only charts health indicators, but also the experiences of children and families, as well as data on collaboration, implementation and system change. With real-time feedback through cyclical monitoring and evaluation, the monitor supports care professionals, policy makers and families in joint reflection, adjustment and scaling up of the Child to Healthier Weight (KnGG) approach. In this way, the project contributes to optimal, integrated child care in line with municipal health agendas such as the GALA and the National Prevention Agreement.
