[Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents - inadequate quality of care from the perspective of paediatricians in Germany].

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents constitutes a significant health issue associated with a range of comorbidities. In Germany, the care provided to these young patients is often insufficient. The introduction of a disease management programme (DMP) for obesity in children and adolescents aims to improve interdisciplinary and guideline-based care. This study examines the perceptions and evaluations of paediatricians regarding the current state of obesity care.An online survey was conducted among 9662 paediatricians in Germany. 802 participants delivered complete responses which were included in the study. They provided information on the frequency of obesity-related consultations, their decisions on addressing the issue, and the availability of treatment options.The majority of respondents (82,0%) rated the quality of care as poor or very poor. Time constraints and limited infrastructure were cited as the main barriers to effective obesity management. Only a small proportion of respondents reported access to a sufficient network of nutritional, exercise, and psychotherapeutic services.The findings highlight the urgent need for structured and comprehensive care options for children and adolescents with obesity, including improved infrastructure and the development of interdisciplinary services. The recent implementation of the DMP could play a pivotal role in sustainably improving the care landscape.