[Implementation and recording of child health and obesity indicators in Primary Care Child Health Programmes across Spain's autonomous communities: a descriptive key-informant survey].

OBJECTIVE

Child Health Programmes (CHPs) are widely implemented in Primary Care, but the territorial consistency of records on childhood obesity and social determinants is unknown. This study aimed to describe CHP implementation and digitalisation and compare indicators, resources and recording procedures across Spain's autonomous communities (ACs).

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study using an ad hoc online questionnaire with ten main questions and thirty-nine items was carried out, completed by one key informant from the Spanish Association of Primary Care Paediatrics in each of the seventeen ACs. Data were collected from June to September 2025 and analysed using absolute frequencies and percentages; conditional questions used the number of eligible ACs as the denominator.

RESULTS

Sixteen ACs (94.1%) reported having a CHP and all seventeen recorded weight and height in the electronic health record. Age-adjusted blood pressure was recorded in ten ACs (58.8%), waist circumference in seven (41.2%), skinfold thickness and bioelectrical impedance in none. Sixteen ACs provided nutritional advice and thirteen recommended or prescribed physical activity. Six (35.3%) reported access to a nutrition professional or equivalent, three in Primary Care. Breastfeeding was recorded in sixteen ACs (94.1%), socioeconomic position in seven (41.2%), and a formal protocol for collecting obesity-related social determinants in two (11.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

CHPs show broad implementation and a common basic digital record, with heterogeneity in additional measurements, growth references, professional resources and social variables. The findings provide a descriptive basis for validating these areas and assessing the feasibility of a common minimum dataset.