Conversations About the Weight of America's Children: Barriers Which Prevent Healthcare Providers from Discussing Childhood Obesity

Abstract

ABSTRACT

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF AMERICA’S CHILDREN: BARRIERS WHICH PREVENT HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FROM DISCUSSING CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Catherine Blow, RN

Alisa Allicock, RN, BSN

Chandra Cooper-Samuels, RN, BSN

Carolynn DeSandre, MSN, CNM, FNP-BC

Purpose: The purpose of this literature synthesis was to examine the barriers preventing healthcare providers from discussing childhood obesity with caregivers, and to generate recommendations to help reduce and prevent obesity in children by encouraging professionals to initiate conversations with parents and caregivers.

Methodology: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify the barriers that prevent practitioners from identifying and counseling parents and caregivers of overweight or obese children.

Results: Once identified, barriers were organized into thematic categories (parental perceived, provider perceived, and professional barriers) and recommendations were generated to facilitate discussion about childhood obesity between professionals and parents.

Conclusion: Childhood obesity is a significant public health problem. Healthcare providers must be able to effectively communicate with caregivers and put childhood obesity at the front of healthcare discussions. This article provides a synthesis of the relevant literature and makes recommendations for healthcare providers to overcome the barriers allowing healthier outcomes for children.

Keywords: Childhood obesity, pediatric, barriers, parental perception, communication, and discussing obesity.