Childhood Obesity is a major Public Health problem especially in the affluent society, self-reportage techniques will create awareness among the sufferers that may lead to change in food habits and importance of physical activities which may contribute to decline in childhood obesity. This must be a holistic approach.

Food diaries would certainly be used as a supplement to other GP interventions. If the practice has a nutritionist, it could work with them too. Food diaries are likely to be kept by the individual patient and would therefore be potentially subject to the usual challenges of self report. Parents must obviously be brought on board and give their permission. Other interventions include procedures for behavioral modification. But as most food reduction programs rely on psychological factors such as sustainable motivation and given much GP reticence to deal with long-term mental wellness issues there remain significant problems.

The first thing we need to do is understand why the child is eating. Choice of food and binge behavior can signal emotional eating. Any reportage techniques alone will not make a dent in the child's behavior. In fact, reportage techniques and increase bingeing resulting from guilt and self-deprecation and feelings that they are letting the doctor or parents down by their behavior. Underlying depression and anxiety and OCD must be addressed to have any impact.

Some really great insights. Thank you.

Nowzia I completely agree that a holistic approach is to be championed with regards to childhood obesity. Medical intervention is not the way forwards, that I am certain of.

John, yes of course, this is no standalone solution. In fact, studies generally show that, where childhood food and nutrition education is concerned, a multi-disciplinary approach is likely to be most effective. Nutritionists, child psychologists, teachers and in some instances social workers could all provide a service to children who have eating problems.

This ties in with your point, Joann. Again, I completely agree that underlying mental health issues must be resolved to see significant change in the long term.

To branch out further, it might also be that parents/carers need help with food and nutrition education. Often bad food relationships and issues with diet are passed down from those who supply the child with food.

What about using these diaries to collect data on behavioural patterns in obese children? How then might we analyse them in order to get the best possible results?

This definitely brings in parenting issues revolving around eating. The "Clean the Plate Club" needs to be disbanded! It is not about finishing what is on your plate but learning your internal signals of hunger and satiety which is numbed by being a member of the "club." The child falls down and Mom cleans off the wound and says, "Here's a cookie, Honey, it will make you feel better." Well if one cookie will make you feel better then how good will the whole bag be?