Implementation of Combined Lifestyle Interventions for Children with Overweight or Obesity: Experiences of Healthcare Professionals in Multiple Communities

Jenneke J E H Saat; Elke Naumann; Gerdine A J Fransen; Lieneke Voss; Koos van der Velden; Willem J J Assendelft

doi:10.3390/ijerph20032156

Implementation of Combined Lifestyle Interventions for Children with Overweight or Obesity: Experiences of Healthcare Professionals in Multiple Communities

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 25;20(3):2156. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032156.

Authors

Jenneke J E H Saat^{1

2

3}, Elke Naumann², Gerdine A J Fransen^{1

3}, Lieneke Voss⁴, Koos van der Velden^{1

4}, Willem J J Assendelft³

Affiliations

¹ Academic Collaborative Center AMPHI, Department of Primary and Community Care, ELG 117, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
² Research Group Nutrition, Dietetics and Lifestyle, HAN University of Applied Sciences, 6503 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Primary and Community Care, ELG 117, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group, Chair Group Nutrition and Disease, Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: To counteract children with obesity, different protocols for combined lifestyle interventions (CLIs) are implemented by healthcare providers (HCPs). To understand the effects of CLI, we studied the implementation process, facilitators and barriers experienced by HCPs.

Methods: A multiple case study design in which community-based CLIs (n = 4), implemented in a total of ten different communities, are conceptualized as a "case". Qualitative data were collected via group interviews among HCPs (n = 48) regarding their implementation protocol, their network involvement and the adoption of the CLI in a community. Transcripts were coded and analysed using ATLAS.ti.

Results: Barriers were the absence of a proper protocol, the low emphasis on the construction of the network and difficulty in embedding the CLI into the community. Funding for these activities was lacking. Facilitating factors were the involvement of a coordinator and to have everyone's role regarding signalling, diagnosis, guidance and treatment clearly defined and protocolled. HCPs suggested adding certain professions to their team because they lacked expertise in parenting advice and providing mental support to children.

Conclusions: Carrying out and adapting the content of the CLI to the community was experienced as easier compared to the management of the organizational aspects of the CLI. For these aspects, separate funding is essential. In the future, mapping the characteristics of a community will help to clarify this influence on the implementation even better.

Keywords: children; combined lifestyle intervention; healthcare professionals; implementation; multiple case study; network; obesity; overweight.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Child
Delivery of Health Care
Health Personnel
Humans
Life Style
Obesity*
Overweight*
Qualitative Research

Grants and funding

This research was funded by a PhD grant for author A from the HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or the manuscript. APC was funded by Radboud University Medical Centre, department of Primary and Community Care, Nijmegen.