The right advice, from the right person, in the right way: Non-engaged consumer families’ preferences for lifestyle intervention design relating to severe obesity in childhood
Abstract
Family-based lifestyle interventions for children/adolescents with severe levels of obesity are numerous, but evidence indicates programs fail to elicit short- or longer-term weight loss outcomes. Families with lived experience can provide valuable insight as we strive to improve outcomes from programs. Our aim was to explore elements that families desired in a program designed to treat severe levels of obesity in young people. We recruited a cross-sectional sample of 13 families (parents and young people) who had been referred but had not engaged with the state-wide Perth Children’s Hospital, Healthy Weight Service (Perth, Australia), between 2016 and 2018. Utilizing semi-structured interviews and reflexive qualitative thematic analysis, we identified two broad themes, (1) bridging the gap between what to do and how to do it, and (2) peers doing it with you. The first theme reflected parents’ and young people’s feelings that programs ought to teach specialist-designed practical strategies utilizing non-generic information tailored to address the needs of the family, in a collaboratively supportive way, and encourage young people to learn for themselves. The second theme reflected the importance of social connection facilitated by peer support, and intervention programs should be offered in a group format to foster inclusion. Families indicated a willingness to engage in tertiary intervention programs but desired support from specialized health professionals/programs to be tailored to their needs, sensitive to their experiences and challenges and provide useful practical strategies that support the knowledge-to-action process.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2023
Volume
50
Issue
4
PubMed ID
37842999
Publication Title
Behavioral Medicine
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
64731
Funders
Australian Research Training Program / University of Western Australia
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
298
Last Page
311
Comments
Saunders, L. A., Dimmock, J. A., Jackson, B., Gibson, L, Y., Doust, J., Davis, E. A., . . . Budden, T. (2023). The right advice, from the right person, in the right way: Non-engaged consumer families’ preferences for lifestyle intervention design relating to severe obesity in childhood. Behavioral Medicine, 50(4), 298-311. https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2023.2269288