Community-Based Combined Lifestyle Interventions for Children with Overweight or Obesity: Exploring the Professional Teams Composition and Approach to Collaboration.

Background

Community-based combined lifestyle interventions (CLIs) are used to help children with overweight or obesity achieve a healthier lifestyle. CLIs utilize the combined knowledge and expertise of professionals from a variety of disciplines. Here, we describe the composition of teams of professionals and their approach to collaboration in four community-based CLIs designed for children with overweight or obesity (focusing on children 4-12 years of age) living in the Netherlands.

Methods

A descriptive cross-case comparison was conducted in which four community-based CLIs implemented in ten communities were conceptualized as "cases". Quantitative data regarding the frequency of contact within the teams, topics addressed in meetings of the CLI teams, the perceived importance of other relevant disciplines in the team, and perceived satisfaction with the collaboration between professionals within the team were collected via questionnaires answered by the professionals (n = 82 respondents). Descriptive analyses including frequencies, percentages, and cross-case comparisons of team characteristics and collaboration were also conducted.

Results

The CLI teams differed in composition, size, and background disciplines. The frequency of contact was higher in small teams (<6 professionals) compared to large teams. Larger teams appeared to report a lower perceived satisfaction regarding collaboration. Moreover, the role of coordinator or central healthcare provider was perceived as more important in the large teams than in the small teams.

Conclusions

Variation was observed in professional expertise and collaboration within CLI teams. Moreover, professionals in a team should collaborate based on the local possibilities. In large teams (>6 professionals) in particular, a coordinator or trained central healthcare provider can help facilitate collaboration.