Program targets overweight children

Launched in 2018, the Faito Tano ("the right weight") program follows 413 children from the Raromata’i who are overweight or obese at the Raiatea hospital. Seventy percent of them are severely obese. The goal is to stop the disease and especially to improve their living conditions.

Childhood obesity in French Polynesia

In the Fenua, 36 percent of children are overweight, of whom 16 percent are obese. French Polynesia would be one of the countries most affected by this disease in the world. This is why the Faito Tano program was created at the Uturoa hospital, initiated by Zeïna Ajaltouni, a pediatric endocrinologist.

Multidisciplinary approach

A program that, since 2018, follows overweight or obese Raromata’i children. Today, the Faito Tano team consists of a pediatrician, a nurse, a dietitian, a psychologist, and a physical education educator. "Obesity is a disease, which is why it is relevant to welcome patients at the hospital, with comprehensive care (the program is completely free for families, funded by the Ministry of Health and the CPS, NDLR). And it is complex, which is why, to treat it from all angles - dietary, psychological, emotional, medical - our team is multidisciplinary," explains the pediatrician Laure Cohen in a preface.

Unique program structure

In this format - a multidisciplinary team within a health structure as recommended by the High Authority for Health to treat obesity - Faito Tano is unique in French Polynesia. Affected babies The patients received have ages from 6 months to 21 years. They are referred to the Faito Tano team by the family doctor, the dispensary or a colleague pediatrician, alerted by the body mass index (BMI).

Early signs of obesity

In short, the child is gaining weight faster than growing, a trend that can occur as early as the first months of life. "However, the problems and pains are already there or ready to emerge," says nurse Guillaume Liénard. "Obesity indeed causes a number of complications: early puberty, liver problems, cavities, shortness of breath, foot and back pain, social isolation due to teasing, bullying..."

Hidden health risks

"Some families come to consult spontaneously due to school difficulties, asthma, sleep apnea... without realizing that these ailments stem from obesity. At first, as it is symptomless, obesity seems an invisible disease," notes nurse Guillaume Liénard. However, the problems and pains are already there or ready to emerge.

Rising health concerns

"More and more children are contracting type 2 diabetes by the age of 10, which has nothing to do with genetics. This diabetes is directly linked to excess sugar in the blood and leads to insulin resistance," reports Laure Cohen. "Black spots under the armpits, for example, are signs of pre-diabetes." Obesity indeed causes a number of complications: early puberty, liver problems, cavities, shortness of breath, foot and back pain, social isolation due to teasing, bullying...

Emotional and psychological impact

"There is a lot of suffering among children," says psychologist Lara Bubani, "even if they do not always say it or show it."

Understanding root causes

If obesity is caused by an unbalanced diet, snacking or overeating, associated with sedentary behavior, it is often the expression of a trauma and life events (neglect of the child, violence against them, bullying, stigmatization ...). All these causes that the medical team seeks to understand.

Therapeutic education

During the first meeting, at the hospital or at the Uturoa Child's House, children and adolescents are offered various fun therapeutic education workshops. So that they change some daily habits, they are given as much information as possible on sugar, sleep, screens, emotions, complications related to obesity, parental responsibility, etc.

Involving the family

There is also a therapeutic meal during which the dietitian has lunch with each of them. Then, each is to choose the goal that speaks to them, the one they can maintain over time. The same applies to parents whose involvement is crucial and who are supported through parental guidance.

No weight loss focus

"50 percent of those under 10 years old leave the Faito Tano program with significant improvement. In general, the weight has stabilized. In any case, all benefit from this program because they feel better in their minds, bodies, and environments. In short, they are happier. The goal is not to make them lose weight," explains dietitian Noëlle Olieslagers. "Unlike adults, children have a joker: they will grow! If weight gain is stopped, the height-weight balance will naturally be restored."

Waiting list challenges

"Composed of two hospital employees and three skilled workers (20 hours per week each), the Faito Tano team clearly needs support. We want to treat children as early as possible to prevent medical complications related to obesity," says Laure Cohen. At the moment, patients are helped as long as necessary, with a visit every three months.

Long-term goals

"Ideally, we would like to support them for two years because that is where we achieve the best results," continues the pediatrician. "Thus, we could treat many other children unfortunately on the waiting list." Indeed, there are currently about thirty waiting to be able to join this program.

Personal story

Moana, 11 years old: "Since I joined Faito Tano, a lot of things have changed; it really helps me a lot. It's not fun to have comments from others. Even if we are obese, we are all human beings. In my future, I will be a man like the others and have a good job like my dad. To all people who are obese, do not believe those who make comments about you. Believe in yourself."

Societal misconceptions

Fat, not strong! Doctors face societal denial and confusion between weight and strength. Often, parents consider an overweight child as "strong, sturdy, solid." However, it is necessary to distinguish muscle from fat. In addition, the worsening of the problem is perverse. "The more the number of overweight people increases, the more it becomes normal, banal and less considered as a disease. Therefore, it is necessary to work on awareness at the societal level," specifies nurse Guillaume Liénard.