The prevalence of obesity in children presenting to secondary care in southern New Zealand and their clinical management were investigated in this study. A review of data contained in the electronic anthropometry database in the region for the period 19 July 2010 to 16 July 2015 identified obesity prevalence. Clinical records were examined using a standard data extraction form for 333 obese children. In this region, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was stable over the 5-year period, but it was higher than the average national rates. There was an over-representation in terms of obesity by children of Māori and Pacific Island ethnicity, males, and those most deprived. Among 333 obese children investigated in the study, only 45.0% received a diagnosis of obesity and 24.7% of those children had further investigations related to possible obesity complications (72.7% were given management plans). Māori and Pacific Island children were less likely to receive clinical intervention for their obesity, while older females were more likely to receive such treatment.
