Obstacles Preventing Public Health Nurses from Discussing Children’s Overweight and Obesity with Parents

Abstract

ABSTRACT We examined how well-baby care nurses perceive communication with parents regarding their children’s obesity and identified main communication barriers. Pediatric obesity is a significant public health concern, and health care personnel are among the first to detect overweight and the first to offer assistance to parents. Yet, research suggests that when nurses identify a weight problem in children, they may have trouble initiating this discussion. This qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews with 20 public health nurses, addressed potential obstacles nurses face when discussing young children’s weight. Lack of time and workload were the most significant barriers to meaningful conversation with parents. Instructing parents toward a healthy lifestyle, while specifically relating to the child’s weight, is perceived as part of the nurse’s role, but execution was flawed. Trust and good communication between the nurse and parents are seen as critical ingredients to provide future guidance around a child’s weight. Nurses want parents to feel comfortable to discuss children’s weight problems, but are worried that such a discussion may impair previously established trust. Nurses should receive comprehensive training to address childhood obesity, including specific communication skills to implement when discussing this stigmatized and sensitive topic.