Reasons for Non-Return to A Pediatric Weight Management Program

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
15 May 2009

Abstract

Purpose: Obesity in childhood has become a major public health concern because of increasing rates of overweight and obesity. To address this epidemic, effective dietetic interventions must be developed. We examined parent/caregiver and/or patient reasons for not returning for follow-up clinical care in the Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Area's Nutrition Services Pediatric Weight Management Program (NS PWMP) in Edmonton, Alberta.
Methods: A qualitative telephone survey was developed to identify reasons for non-return to the NS PWMP. Face validity was evaluated by five pediatric registered dietitians (RDs).
Results: The survey was administered to parents/caregivers of children or adolescents aged 2.5 to 14.2 years (n=21) who attended fewer than two appointments in the NS PWMP. The major reasons for non-return included physical barriers (scheduling, parking, location), organizational barriers (clinic environment), and program educational content (type of educational tools, the focus of lifestyle education on the individual rather than the family, physical activity interventions, and appropriateness of information for the parent or child).
Conclusions: Development and delivery of effective dietetic interventions for children and adolescents at risk of overweight and obesity may be achieved by emphasizing skill building within the child and the family. Analysis of child and family feedback on clinical RD services is critical to optimization of care in a pediatric weight management program.

Résumé

Objectif: L'obésité chez l'enfant est devenue une grande préoccupation de santé publique en raison des taux élevés d'embonpoint et d'obésité. Pour s'attaquer à cette épidémie, on doit concevoir des interventions diététiques efficaces. Nous avons examiné les raisons des parents/parents-substituts ou des patients qui expliquent le non-retour au suivi clinique dans le cadre du Nutrition Services Pediatric Weight Management Program (NS PWMP) instauré par les Alberta Health Services de la région d'Edmonton.
Méthodes:Une enquête téléphonique qualitative a été conçue pour connaître les raisons du non-retour au NS PWMP. La validité apparente a été évaluée par cinq diététistes professionnelles (DP) en pédiatrie.
Résultats: L'enquête a étémenée auprès des parents/parentssubstituts des enfants ou adolescents âgés de 2,5 à 14,2 ans (n=21) qui étaient venus àmoins de deux rendez-vous du NS PWMP. Les principales raisons du non-retour étaient des obstacles physiques (horaire, stationnement, distance), des obstacles organisationnels (environnement clinique) et le contenu éducatif du programme (type d'outils éducatifs, insistance de l’éducation aumode de vie sur l'individu plutôt que sur la famille, interventions en activité physique et pertinence de l'information pour le parent ou l'enfant).
Conclusions: L’élaboration et l'application d'interventions diététiques efficaces destinées aux enfants et aux adolescents à risque d'embonpoint ou d'obésité peuventmettre l'accent sur l'acquisition de compétences chez l'enfant et la famille. L'analyse de la réaction de l'enfant et de la famille aux services des DP est cruciale pour optimiser les soins dans un programme de gestion du poids en pédiatrie.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 70Number 2July 2009
Pages: 89 - 94

History

Version of record online: 15 May 2009

Authors

Affiliations

Catherine E. Kitscha, BASc, RD
Nutrition Services, Regional Nutrition and Food Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Area, AB
Kim Brunet, MSc, RD
Nutrition Services, Regional Nutrition and Food Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Area, AB
Anna Farmer, PhD, RD
Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Diana R. Mager, PhD, RD
Nutrition Services, Regional Nutrition and Food Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Area, AB
Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

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