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

OBJECTIVE

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.

INNOVATION: Understanding the patient's perspective is important for HCPs to provide the tailored care needed to address the complexity of childhood obesity.