Families' Perceptions of and Experiences Related to a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention: A Qualitative Study

Nicholas L Holt; Kacey C Neely; Amanda S Newton; Camilla J Knight; Allison Rasquinha; Kathryn A Ambler; John C Spence; Geoff D C Ball

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2015.05.002

Families' Perceptions of and Experiences Related to a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention: A Qualitative Study

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2015 Sep-Oct;47(5):427-31.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2015.05.002. Epub 2015 Jul 2.

Authors

Nicholas L Holt¹, Kacey C Neely², Amanda S Newton³, Camilla J Knight⁴, Allison Rasquinha³, Kathryn A Ambler³, John C Spence², Geoff D C Ball³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: nick.holt@ualberta.ca.
² Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
³ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁴ College of Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, United Kingdom.

PMID: 26145758
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2015.05.002

Abstract

Objective: To examine parents' and children's perceptions of and experiences related to a Parents as Agents of Change (PAC) intervention for managing pediatric obesity.

Methods: Ten families were recruited from a PAC intervention. Participants were interviewed before (10 adults and 9 children), during (9 adults and 8 children), and after (8 adults) the intervention.

Results: Before the intervention, families reported goals to increase physical activity, plan and eat healthier meals, reduce screen time, and lose weight. During the intervention, families described different approaches to making behavior changes depending on who assumed responsibility (parent, child, or shared responsibility). After the intervention, group setting, goal setting, and portion size activities were viewed positively. Suggestions for improvement included engaging children and reducing intervention length.

Conclusions and implications: Practitioners delivering PAC interventions should discuss families' goals and concerns, and who is responsible for making lifestyle changes. Practical activities are valuable. The length of interventions and engagement of children should be considered.

Keywords: obesity; parents; pediatric; qualitative; treatment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Body Weight
Child
Feeding Behavior / psychology*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Promotion / methods*
Humans
Male
Parents / psychology*
Pediatric Obesity / psychology*
Pediatric Obesity / therapy
Qualitative Research