Perspectives of healthcare professionals on facilitators, barriers and needs in children with obesity and their parents in achieving a healthier lifestyle

• Published in: PEC innovation Vol. 1; p. 100074
• Main Authors: de Pooter, Naomi, van den Eynde, Emma, Raat, Hein, Seidell, Jacob C., van den Akker, Erica L.T., Halberstadt, Jutka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Behavior change; Healthcare professionals; Integrated care; Pediatric obesity; Qualitative research; Qualitative research; Behavior change; Healthcare professionals; Integrated care; Pediatric obesity
• ISSN: 2772-6282; 2772-6282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100074

To explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) within an integrated care approach on the facilitators, barriers and needs in children with obesity and their parents in achieving a healthier lifestyle. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eighteen HCPs working within a Dutch integrated care approach. The interviews were analyzed by performing a thematic content analysis. Main facilitators identified by HCPs were support from parents and the social network. Main barriers were first and foremost family’s lack of motivation, which was singled out as a precondition for starting the behavior change process. Other barriers were child’s socio-emotional problems, parental personal problems, lack of parenting skills, parental lack of knowledge and skills regarding a healthier lifestyle, parental lack of problem awareness and HCP’s negative attitude. To overcome these barriers, main needs that HCPs suggested were a tailored approach in healthcare and a supportive HCP. The HCPs identified the breadth and complexity of underlying factors of childhood obesity, of which the family’s motivation was pointed out as a critical factor to address. Understanding the patient’s perspective is important for HCPs to provide the tailored care needed to address the complexity of childhood obesity. •HCPs identify the breadth and complexity of underlying factors of childhood obesity.•Main facilitator is social support, main barriers mostly within psychosocial aspects.•HCPs single out family’s motivation as precondition for behavior change.•HCPs emphasize the family’s need for support and a tailored approach in healthcare.•Understanding the patient’s perspective is important in providing tailored care.