OBJECTIVE: Routine height and weight screening of children accessing health services in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), New South Wales (NSW) was one aspect of a NSW Ministry of Health initiative to reduce childhood obesity. This study aims to explore the views of parents/carers regarding the role of health care professionals (HCP) in measuring their child and raising the issue of weight.
METHOD: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Parents/carers of children who had their height and weight measured at an SWSLHD facility were invited to participate. Purposive sampling was used to select parents/carers of children from different body mass index (BMI) categories and different health settings Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The de-identified data were coded and analysed using NVIVO.
RESULTS: A total of 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Of these 14 participants were parents/carers of children who were outside the healthy weight range (1 underweight, 13 overweight or obese). Three main themes were identified: parental perception of their child’s weight, parental expectations, and parental challenges. We found that many parents/carers were unaware of their child’s weight status and often underestimated it. Parents/carers wanted to know their child’s weight status and were open to receiving advice and resources as long as it was addressed professionally and respectfully.
CONCLUSION: Contrary to the views of some health professionals, parents/carers want to know their child’s weight status. There is a need for well-trained clinicians who can regularly measure children’s growth and who are confident to raise the issue of weight with parents/carers