Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children

Abstract Background Despite the high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity enrolment to weight management programs remains difficult, time consuming, costly and has limited effectiveness. The aim of this paper was to explore parents’ perspectives on factors that influence their decision to...

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Main Authors: Kamila Davidson, Helen Vidgen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2017-02-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-017-4085-2
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spelling doaj-b27b7e5c6ef540149b88c396c9025e972020-11-24T22:51:11ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582017-02-0117111010.1186/s12889-017-4085-2Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese childrenKamila Davidson0Helen Vidgen1School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Children’s Health ResearchSchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Children’s Health ResearchAbstract Background Despite the high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity enrolment to weight management programs remains difficult, time consuming, costly and has limited effectiveness. The aim of this paper was to explore parents’ perspectives on factors that influence their decision to enrol in a program to address their child’s weight. Methods Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were undertaken with 21 parents of primary school aged children above the healthy weight range who had enrolled in a healthy lifestyle program. Questions were developed and analysed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. They addressed parental reasons for enrolment, expectations of the program and apprehensions regarding enrolling. Results Prior to deciding to enrol, parents tended to be aware of the child’s weight status, had attempted to address it themselves and had sought help from a number of people including health professionals. Parental decision to enrol was influenced by their evaluation of their previous attempts and their child’s emotional state. Conclusions Awareness of their child’s weight status is an important first step in parents taking action at this health issue however it is unlikely to be sufficient on its own. Parental decision to join a childhood obesity management program can be complex and is likely to be made after numerous and unsuccessful attempts to address the child’s weight. Strategies to encourage parents to enrol in programs should include activities beyond awareness of weight status. Health professionals should use contact time with parents to raise awareness of the child’s weight status and to provide encouragement to address overweight and obesity. Parents must be supported in their attempts to address their child’s overweight and obesity whether they choose to manage it themselves or within a program.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-017-4085-2ChildObesityOverweightRecruitmentProgram
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Kamila Davidson
Helen Vidgen
spellingShingle Kamila Davidson
Helen Vidgen
Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children
BMC Public Health
Child
Obesity
Overweight
Recruitment
Program
author_facet Kamila Davidson
Helen Vidgen
author_sort Kamila Davidson
title Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children
title_short Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children
title_full Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children
title_fullStr Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children
title_full_unstemmed Why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children
title_sort why do parents enrol in a childhood obesity management program?: a qualitative study with parents of overweight and obese children
publisher BMC
series BMC Public Health
issn 1471-2458
publishDate 2017-02-01
description Abstract Background Despite the high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity enrolment to weight management programs remains difficult, time consuming, costly and has limited effectiveness. The aim of this paper was to explore parents’ perspectives on factors that influence their decision to enrol in a program to address their child’s weight. Methods Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were undertaken with 21 parents of primary school aged children above the healthy weight range who had enrolled in a healthy lifestyle program. Questions were developed and analysed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. They addressed parental reasons for enrolment, expectations of the program and apprehensions regarding enrolling. Results Prior to deciding to enrol, parents tended to be aware of the child’s weight status, had attempted to address it themselves and had sought help from a number of people including health professionals. Parental decision to enrol was influenced by their evaluation of their previous attempts and their child’s emotional state. Conclusions Awareness of their child’s weight status is an important first step in parents taking action at this health issue however it is unlikely to be sufficient on its own. Parental decision to join a childhood obesity management program can be complex and is likely to be made after numerous and unsuccessful attempts to address the child’s weight. Strategies to encourage parents to enrol in programs should include activities beyond awareness of weight status. Health professionals should use contact time with parents to raise awareness of the child’s weight status and to provide encouragement to address overweight and obesity. Parents must be supported in their attempts to address their child’s overweight and obesity whether they choose to manage it themselves or within a program.
topic Child
Obesity
Overweight
Recruitment
Program
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-017-4085-2
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