Childhood overweight and obesity conceived by Child Health Care nurses : a qualitative study (original) (raw)
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Swedish Child Health Care nurses conceptions of overweight in children: a qualitative study
BMC Family Practice, 2012
Background: Registered Sick Children's Nurses and District Nurses employed at Child Health Care centres are in a position to help prevent childhood overweight and obesity. Prevention of this challenging public health threat could be improved through having a better understanding of how this group of nurses perceives childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to elucidate the conceptions of childhood overweight, including obesity, among nurses working in Child Health Care. Method: A qualitative study using a phenomenographic approach, based on open-ended interviews with 18 Child Health Care nurses (CHC-nurses) strategically selected from 17 Child Health Care Centres in the southern part of Sweden. Results: Four categories of description emerged from the data: Perception of childhood overweight changes, Overweight in younger children a neglected concern, Overweight a delicate issue and Importance of family lifestyle. The participating CHC-nurses conceived overweight in children, primarily obesity in children to be an extensive and serious problem which affects children, families and the surrounding society. Overweight in children was further perceived as a consequence of their parent's lifestyle and their awareness of the problem, which was considered by the CHC-nurses as a sensitive and a provoking issue. It was also perceived that overweight in children is not taken seriously during the pre-school period and that concerns regarding overweight in younger children were mainly about the appearance and not the health of the child. The CHC-nurses perceived that the proportion of overweight children has increased, which Swedish society and the CHC-nurses have adapted to. This adaptation makes it difficult for CHC-nurses to define those children who are overweight. Conclusion: CHC-nurses provide a comprehensive and complex picture of childhood overweight, which includes several difficulties dealing with this issue. Attention to CHC-nurse's conceptions of overweight in children is important since it can affect the parent-nurse relationship and thereby the nurse's, as well as the parent's efforts to influence the children's weight. It is suggested that CHC-nurses should work with person centered counseling and empowerment concerning parent to child relations in cases involving overweight.
Obstacles to the prevention of overweight and obesity in the context of child health care in Sweden
BMC Family Practice, 2013
Overweight and obesity in younger children could better be brought in focus through a deeper understanding of how Child Health Care nurses (CHC-nurses) perceive their work with the problems of overweight at the CHC Centers. The aim of this study was to elucidate the CHCnurses conceptions of their preventive work with childhood overweight and obesity in Child Health Care.
BMC Public Health, 2019
Background Nurses in child health care (CHC) centers in Sweden play a key role in the early detection and management of childhood overweight/obesity, through meeting families early, regularly and over many years. However, research focusing on CHC nurses’ perceptions of their role in childhood overweight/obesity management is scarce. As part of the EU-funded project “Science and Technology in childhood Obesity Policy” (STOP), this study examines CHC nurses’ perceptions of speaking to parents about children’s overweight/obesity and of their role in referring children to treatment for overweight/obesity. Methods All registered CHC nurses in Stockholm County (n = 442) received an email invitation letter explaining the study. Individual face-to-face visits (n = 15) in selected centers, and phone calls (n = 24) to nurses working in these centres were also conducted. In total, 17 CHC nurses (all female, average work experience 6.7 years (SD ± 4.9 years)) from 10 municipalities (including f...
Child healthcare nurses’ encounters with parents whose child is overweight
Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, 2019
Nurses in the Swedish child healthcare system can make a difference by offering support to parents of children who are overweight or at risk of becoming so. Still, research concerning these nurses’ clinical practice when encountering parents whose child is overweight is inadequate. The aim of this study was to describe nurses’ clinical practice when encountering parents of an overweight child. Data were collected through interviews with 10 nurses, and a content analysis approach was used. The nurses’ clinical practice is described in relation to Olander’s theory: Individualising actions, Creating a dialogue, Documenting, and Focusing on normality. This study adds knowledge about nurses’ clinical practice in encounters with parents whose child is overweight. Also, it adds information on how an issue in a specific care situation may contribute to further understanding and use of an existing theory in caring science.
The study reviewed the published research on nurses' knowledge and attitudes about children who are overweight/obese. A literature search of research published in English between 2000 and 2016 was conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar. A total of 5 papers met the inclusion criteria for this review with only one paper specifically discussing the attitudes of student nurses to childhood overweight/obesity. This review has shown that although there are very few articles on nurses' knowledge and attitudes to overweight/obese children, the papers included in the review demonstrate that nurses were generally lacking in knowledge about this issue.
School Nurses' Perceptions of Childhood Obesity
Journal of School Health, 1987
A random sample of 250 nurses from the American School Health Association membership were sent a questionnaire concerning childhood obesity; 88% responded. Most (85 %) believed normal weight was important to children's health and that school nurses should be role models by maintaining normal weight (77%). Most also believed counseling children and their parents about weight loss was dijficult (71 %) and that schools need to do more to alleviate Childhood obesity (65%). At least 75% believed all schools should offer a comprehensive health curriculum with units on nutrition and weight control. Likewise, all schools should eliminate "unk food" machines and make special low-calorie lunches available. Only 25% felt competent to prescribe weight loss programs for children. and only 30% found counseling about weight loss professionally gratijying. One-fourth believed, that with proper guidance, children could lose signifcant amounts of weight or maintain that weight loss. The nurses believed in the importance of normal weight, but appeared skeptical of children's abilities to lose weight as well as their own abilities to provide children with guidance to do so. Finally, they perceived a need for schools to be more active and involved in dealing with childhood obesity. (J Sch Health 1987;57(8):332-336) besity 0 group referred to as represents a complex and heterogeneous of disorders, perhaps more appropriately "the obesities." An estimated 5% to 25% of children and adolescents may be obese.' The prevalence of obesity in children remains uncertain due to lack of standardized criteria for defining obesity. Obesity in infancy does not correlate with obesity in later childhood.* However, the longer children remain obese, the greater the probability they will be obese adolescents and adults. About 80% of obese adolescents become obese adults.' The intractability of adult obestity and its subsequent pathologies have focused greater attention on preventing and treating obesity in childhood. Mallick' reviewed the health hazards of childhood obesity and concluded the hazards should be considered in terms of immediate and delayed physical and psychological morbidity. Obese children experience increased risk for carbohydrate intolerance and hyperinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and decreased release of growth Also, overweight children are especially vulnerable to stigma and, because of the importance society gives to physical attractiveness, psychological risks are compounded should that child remain obese into the adult years.12J3 Since school nurses can assist obese school children and their families, this study assessed their perceptions regarding childhood obesity. The following questions were examined: 1) Do school nurses perceive childhood obesity as a serious health risk?
Contemporary Issues in Nursing : Epidemic of Child Obesity
Middle East Journal of Nursing, 2013
As an opportunity is given to develop and give a literature review individually that would inspect a current and existing issue in nursing and health care this paper will provide an opportunity to gain current knowledge and capability in relation to a present-day problem, that is existing in society requiring fact-based nursing involvement. Conclusion: Once the findings are complete, the preventive measures carried out to control the negative impacts of it on the children, especially occurring in Australia, are elaborated on. This would not only affect the economic factor of the country but also the health related issues that would or might rise in future.
2016
To increase the understanding of difficulties in promoting healthy habits to parents, we explore barriers in health-care provision. The aim of this study is to describe nurses ’ perceived barriers when discussing with parents regarding healthy food habits, physical activity and their child’s body weight. A mixed method approach was chosen. Nurses (n 76) working at 29 different Child Health Care Centers ’ in an area in west Sweden were included in the study. Three focus group interviews were conducted and 17 nurses were selected according to maximum variation. Data were categorized and qualita-tive content analysis was the chosen analysis method. In the second method, data were obtained from a question-naire distributed to all 76 nurses. The latent content was formulated into a theme: even with encouragement and support, the nurses perceive barriers of both an external and internal nature. The results identified four main barriers: experienced barriers in the workplace—internal and e...
Nursing actions for overweight and obese children in the Family Health Strategy
Revista da Rede de Enfermagem do Nordeste
Objective: to analyze the actions of nurses in the follow-up of the growth and development of overweight and obese children in the Family Health Strategy. Methods: qualitative research, developed through a semistructured interview with 12 nurses from five Family Health Clinics whose data were submitted to thematic analysis. Results: nurses carry out anthropometric follow-up and analysis of these data in the health booklet, provide guidance on breastfeeding and the importance of a balanced diet for children and families, and their actions are carried out in Family Health Clinics, schools and homes. Conclusion: the nursing actions are focused on the child and the family's self-care in order to prevent or minimize the effects of overweight and obesity in childhood and its repercussions for adult life. Descriptors: Obesity; Overweight; Child Health; Nursing; Family Health Strategy. Objetivo: analisar as ações de enfermeiros no acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento de crianças com sobrepeso e obesidade na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 12 enfermeiros de cinco Clínicas de Saúde da Família cujos dados foram submetidos à Análise Temática. Resultados: os enfermeiros fazem acompanhamento antropométrico e análise desses dados na caderneta de saúde, orientam sobre o aleitamento materno e a importância de dieta balanceada para crianças e famílias, tendo as suas ações realizadas nas clínicas de saúde da família, nas escolas e nos domicílios. Conclusão: as ações de enfermagem estão voltadas para o autocuidado da criança e da família com intuito de prevenir ou minimizar os efeitos do sobrepeso e obesidade na infância e suas repercussões para a vida adulta.
Swedish nurses encounter barriers when promoting healthy habits in children
SUMMARY To increase the understanding of difficulties in promoting healthy habits to parents, we explore barriers in health-care provision. The aim of this study is to describe nurses' perceived barriers when discussing with parents regarding healthy food habits, physical activity and their child's body weight. A mixed method approach was chosen. Nurses (n ¼ 76) working at 29 different Child Health Care Centers' in an area in west Sweden were included in the study. Three focus group interviews were conducted and 17 nurses were selected according to maximum variation. Data were categorized and qualitative content analysis was the chosen analysis method. In the second method, data were obtained from a questionnaire distributed to all 76 nurses. The latent content was formulated into a theme: even with encouragement and support, the nurses perceive barriers of both an external and internal nature. The results identified four main barriers: experienced barriers in the workplace—internal and external; the nurse's own fear and uncertainty; perceived obstacles in nurse– parent interactions and modern society impedes parents' ability to promote healthy habits. The nurses' perceived barriers were confirmed by the results from 62 of the nurses who completed the questionnaire. Despite education and professional support , the health professionals perceived both external and internal barriers in promoting healthy habits to parents when implementing a new method of health promotion in primary care. Further qualitative studies are needed to gain deeper understanding of the perceived barriers when promoting healthy habits to parents.