This device called “Mission find your course” allows Social Security to fully cover up to three specialist check-ups and 18 follow-up sessions, for a maximum period of two years. The children will be accompanied in one of the 260 referenced structures, such as houses or health centers, for a dietary, psychological and physical activity support.
Faced with the “worrying increase” in childhood obesity, which has become a major public health problem, the objective of this system is toeradicate this disease which is a proven risk factor for diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The aim is also toimprove the psychological well-being of children by teaching them from an early age to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. This early intervention is essential because changes are more difficult to be put in place once overweight or obesity is established (source 1).
This device has been tested since 2018 in Seine-Saint-Denis, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Reunion and has enabled the majority of children accompanied to improve or stabilize their body mass index. Indeed, with 17% of 6-17 year olds overweight, including 4% obese, it is crucial to put in place effective prevention measures to avoid long-term consequences on children’s health. After successful experimentation, the device is now deployed in 228 multi-professional health centers and 33 health centerswith the aim of extending throughout the country throughout 2023 (source 2).