Paediatric teams in front of childhood obesity: A qualitative study within the STOP project

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the underlying factors that influence the approach to overweight and obesity in children is basic to best support families searching a solution to this important public health problem.

Objective: To assess attitudes and feelings of paediatric staff in addressing overweight and childhood obesity to parents, exploring perceived barriers and facilitators, for an effective care.

Participants and method: Qualitative study by means of individual semi-structured questionnaires of paediatric staff (paediatricians and paediatrician nurses; n = 57; 68% female) of primary health care centres and hospitals in Mallorca. Thematic analysis was done.

Results: Three themes emerged from the data: "Parents' attitude in childhood obesity" (sub-themes "The conscience of parents", "The parents ask for help"), "Paediatric staff and childhood obesity" (sub-themes "Approaching to the problem: The interview with parents", "Looking together for the solution"), and "System barriers" (sub-themes "Improving teamwork and health policy", "Family participation in addressing childhood obesity").

Conclusions: Paediatric staffs know how to treat childhood obesity, but demand training on motivation. Effectivity on therapy of childhood obesity will be obtained after parents/carers recognize the problem and establish a trustful relationship with paediatric staff. The health system is still a barrier to the activity of paediatric personnel.

Keywords: Actitud del personal de salud; Análisis temático; Atención primaria; Attitude of health personnel; Childhood obesity; Obesidad infantil; Paediatrics; Pediatría; Primary care; Thematic analysis.