Weighing children; parents agree, but GPs conflicted

O’Shea, Brendan; Ladewig, Emma L; Kelly, Alan; Reulbach, Udo; O’Dowd, Tom

doi:10.1136/archdischild-2013-304090

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The majority of parents in this study did not consider schools to be a setting where children’s weight status checks should be undertaken. Further, more than one‐quarter of parents in this study did not want their child’s weight status to be checked every time they visit a GP, which does not support previous study findings where almost all parents (98.6%) found it helpful to have their child’s weight checked at routine care appointments with a GP 20 . Parental concerns about school‐based assessments related to a possible increase of bullying and anxiety among children, and putting too much focus on weight rather than overall health, and these worries are supported by previous research findings 33,34 .…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

“…Despite this, evidence among general practitioners (GPs) indicates this rarely occurs 15–17 due to various barriers such as time constraints or concerns about parental reaction 18,19 . However, parents’ attitudes towards weight status assessment of their children may be misunderstood, as was indicated in an Irish observation study among parents (n=434) of 5–12‐year‐olds where more than 98% of parents reported they found it useful when GPs checked their child’s weight 20 . Little is known about Australian parents’ perspectives about the undertaking of this check, which currently results in missed opportunities to identify childhood obesity and consequently a failure to address this health issue early.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Parental opinions about the responsibility for assessing children’s weight status – a survey of Rockhampton parents

Davidson

Vidgen

Denney‐Wilson

2019

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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Objectives: To explore and analyse parental perspectives regarding the responsibility for routine weight status assessment of primary school‐aged children. Methods: Using a case study of a regional town, Rockhampton, an online survey was used to explore opinions about assessing children’s weight status. Data was collected and analysed guided by Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour Framework. Results: Parents recognised their responsibility for assessing children’s weight and height and wanted to know their child’s risk of being overweight. The majority of participants reported checking their child’s weight and height but many never used Body Mass Index or growth charts. Schools were not seen as a setting where this assessment should be undertaken, due to concerns of bullying and effects on self‐esteem. Conclusions: Parents must be better supported in identifying and addressing their child’s obesity. Health professionals should use contact with families to provide education on the benefits of early identification of overweight and the steps involved in weight status assessment, and to undertake this check, offer advice and refer families to weight management services. Implications for public health: Increased awareness of parental opinions about the responsibility for assessing children’s weight status may lead to change in health professionals’ practice and improved health services for the identification and means of addressing childhood obesity.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental opinions about the responsibility for assessing children’s weight status – a survey of Rockhampton parents

Davidson

Vidgen

Denney‐Wilson

2019

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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“…Previous studies also found that parents do see primary care as an appropriate setting for weight management,4 but that they need to be reassured that GPs will address their child's weight in a non-judgemental, sensitive manner and are able to treat childhood obesity effectively 5. The present study shows that almost 30% of GPs gave lifestyle advice during consultation, but whether they did this in a non-judgemental, sensitive way is unknown.…”

mentioning

confidence: 59%

Discussing overweight in primary care

et al. 2015

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“…Parental participation and cooperation are key factors in the prevention and management of CO [ 28–32 ]. Parents’ lack of recognition or concern about obesity in children has been one of the main barriers in managing the CO [ 8 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 22 , 33 ]. FPs in our study recommended better cooperation between school and parents and using the power of media to increase awareness in the society.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family physicians’ views on their role in the management of childhood obesity: a mixed methods study from Turkey

Sakarya

Ünalan

Tursun

et al. 2018

European Journal of General Practice

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Background: Childhood obesity (CO) is a high priority issue due to its serious health consequences and its rapid increase.Objectives: To examine the views of primary care physicians (family physicians, FPs) in Turkey regarding their role in the management of CO and the barriers they perceive.Methods: Mixed methods approach. Data was collected in two major counties of Istanbul between February and May 2014. All Family Health Centres (FHCs) in the region were visited, and 180/284 FPs (63.4%) agreed to complete a structured questionnaire (22 questions). Of those, 48 FPs agreed to participate in in-depth interviews that were taken until saturation was 25. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. For qualitative data, content analysis was applied to identify the themes.Results: Most of the FPs (93.3%) agreed that they have a role in managing CO. Almost all FPs (98.3%) agreed that for the 0–4-year-olds height and weight measures should be taken. However, only 67.6% recommended this for children aged 5–15 years. The most common barriers in the management of CO were reported as lack of time (68.9%) and FHCs not being utilized for the care of children aged 5–15 years old (53.3%) in Turkey. In-depth interviews showed that FPs tend to limit their role to identifying the problem and making the family aware of it.Conclusion: Although FPs recognize primary healthcare as an appropriate setting for managing CO, they have concerns about being involved in the treatment.

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Weighing children; parents agree, but GPs conflicted

Abstract: GPs are conflicted regarding the acceptability of weighing the child but almost all parents believed it helpful. A minority of obese children responded negatively.

Cited by 11 publications

References 3 publications

Parental opinions about the responsibility for assessing children’s weight status – a survey of Rockhampton parents

Parental opinions about the responsibility for assessing children’s weight status – a survey of Rockhampton parents

Discussing overweight in primary care

Family physicians’ views on their role in the management of childhood obesity: a mixed methods study from Turkey

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