Maggie De Block (Open Vld), Federal Minister for Public Health, has allocated five million euros a year for the reimbursement of a visit to a dietician for overweight children, she announced on Monday.
The children will be able to have ten consultations over the course of two years. With this measure, De Block wants to lower the threshold for overweight children and their parents to look for professional help as much as possible.
The numbers show that the percentage of overweight and obese boys went up from 11 to 15% between 2006 and 2014, and up from 8 to 11% for girls. An estimated 75,000 children aged 6 to 17 years old will be able to enjoy this, the minister said. The measure was approved by the RIZIV (National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance) insurance committee.
"Being overweight at a young age is often a sign for chronic obesity problems at a later age, which means a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes," said De Block. "Scientific studies have shown that intervention in the diet of children leads to significant weight loss, and therefore a reduction of the risk."
Ingrijpen in de voeding van kinderen is cruciaal om het risico op chronische zwaarlijvigheidsproblemen te verminderen.
— Maggie De Block (@Maggie_DeBlock) April 29, 2019
➡️ Binnenkort kunnen kinderen met overgewicht een traject van 10 raadplegingen bij de dietist volgen.https://t.co/3gFWrxL8la #BeGov @be_gezondheid
"Intervening in the diet of children is crucial to reduce the risk of chronic obesity problems.
➡️ Soon, overweight children can follow a process of 10 consultations with the dietician."
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
