Access to primary care child weight management programs: Urban parent barriers and facilitators to participation
Recommended Citation
Kulik NL, Thomas EM, Iovan S, McKeough M, Kendzierski S, and Leatherwood S. Access to primary care child weight management programs: Urban parent barriers and facilitators to participation. J Child Health Care 2017; 21(4):509-521.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2017
Publication Title
Journal of child health care
Abstract
The prevalence and comorbidities of childhood obesity among low-income urban children are a significant health issue in the United States. Programs designed to assist families are underutilized. The aim of this study is to describe barriers and facilitators relevant to intervention program participation from the perspective of parents who have children who are overweight or obese. Systematic thematic analysis of focus groups and semi-structured interviews with parents from multiple urban pediatrics and family medicine practices were used to gather data. A framework analysis approach was used and a codebook of themes was developed. Transcripts were coded independently by the research team and consensus among researchers was reached. Forty-eight parents participated in the study. Perceived barriers to participation included (1) varied referral process (lack of follow-up or varying referral experience), (2) costs (time and program fee), (3) logistics (location and program schedule), and (4) child motivation. Perceived facilitators to participation included (1) systematic referral process (in-office referral and timely follow-up), (2) program content and organization, and (3) no cost. Multiple barriers and facilitators affect weight management program participation among families, which should be specifically targeted in future obesity interventions in order to effectively reach urban, minority parents and children.
Medical Subject Headings
Adolescent; Child; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Male; Motivation; Parents; Pediatric Obesity; Poverty; Primary Health Care; Qualitative Research; Referral and Consultation; United States; Urban Population
PubMed ID
29110523
Volume
21
Issue
4
First Page
509
Last Page
521