How Pediatricians Can Improve Diet and Activity for Overweight Preschoolers: a Qualitative Study of Parental Attitudes

Overview

Journal Acad Pediatr

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2009 May 20

PMID 19450777

Citations 26

Authors

Christopher Bolling

Lori Crosby

Richard Boles

Lori Stark

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: This study sought feedback from parents of overweight preschoolers on terms for overweight and treatment strategies pediatricians could use to help parents improve diet and activity for their children.

Methods: Twenty-three parents of 21 children aged 2 to 6 years and between the 85th and 94th percentile body mass index participated in focus groups conducted by a pediatrician to assess 1) terms and health risks that motivate parents, 2) barriers that prevent adoption of recommended behaviors, and 3) recommendations for pediatricians on strategies to help parents improve child diet and activity.

Results: With regard to weight status, parents preferred the terms overweight and obese as long as pediatricians provided rationale for the classification. Parents recommended that pediatricians avoid colloquial terms to describe weight status. With regard to American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for weight management in overweight preschoolers, parents were reluctant to restrict 100% fruit juice, needed specific strategies to increase vegetable consumption, and said limiting screen time would be difficult, especially when busy or during inclement weather. Despite identification of barriers, parents reported confidence in adopting all recommended behaviors except vegetable intake if given the rationale for the recommendation and strategies for implementation.

Conclusion: Parents recommended that pediatricians speak clearly about weight status, explain rationale for concern, relate that concern to family history, and provide specific advice and treatment recommendations.

Citing Articles

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Communication of children's weight status: what is effective and what are the children's and parents' experiences and preferences? A mixed methods systematic review.

Ames H, Mosdol A, Blaasvaer N, Nokleby H, Berg R, Langoien L BMC Public Health. 2020; 20(1):574.

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A qualitative study examining medical provider advice, barriers, and perceived effectiveness in addressing childhood obesity to patients and families from a low-income community health clinic.

Sastre L, Matson S, Gruber K, Haldeman L SAGE Open Med. 2019; 7:2050312119834117.

PMID: 30834116 PMC: 6396046. DOI: 10.1177/2050312119834117.

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