Abstract
BackgroundIn order to improve and optimize future behavioral family lifestyle intervention programs, more information on the perceptions of obese children and their parents of these programs is needed. As such, the aim of this qualitative study is 1) to explore the expectations of obese children and their parents in relation to lifestyle interventions; 2) to identify barriers to making lifestyle changes that parents and children face within their social context (within the family, at school and amongst friends and peers) as well as the things that facilitate these changes and 3) to identify the needs of obese children and their parents in the context of a lifestyle intervention.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted. Interviewees were participants in a lifestyle intervention program in the Netherlands.ResultsEighteen children (mean age 10 years) and 24 parents were interviewed. The respondents expected to lose weight by being physically active or by eating healthily. Parents struggled with adopting and adhering to new rules and the absence of support of family members. Children struggled with inconsistent parenting and a lack of support from their parents. Bullying experienced at school impeded the children in their ability to make the necessary changes. Support from peers, on the other hand, stimulated their progress. Parents identified the need for the general practitioner to discuss overweight in a non-offensive way and to show an interest in the process of weight loss.ConclusionsParticipants in a lifestyle behavior intervention program benefit from parental support and help from their (extended) family, peers and friends. They would also profit from the sustained involvement of their general practitioner in assisting in the maintenance of lifestyle behavior changes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-015-0263-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
In order to improve and optimize future behavioral family lifestyle intervention programs, more information on the perceptions of obese children and their parents of these programs is needed
Studies included in the Cochrane review on interventions for treating obesity in children suggest that their success is limited in terms of addressing childhood obesity over the long term [9]
We used the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) to describe our methods [18]
Summary
In order to improve and optimize future behavioral family lifestyle intervention programs, more information on the perceptions of obese children and their parents of these programs is needed. In 2009, the prevalence of overweight and obese children was 12.8 and 1.8 % respectively for boys and 14.8 and 2.2 % respectively for girls (2–21 years) [2]. The internationally recommended treatment of childhood obesity includes a behavioral family lifestyle intervention program with dietary and physical activity advice and a family-targeted focus in children under 12 years of age [8, 9]. Studies included in the Cochrane review on interventions for treating obesity in children suggest that their success is limited in terms of addressing childhood obesity over the long term [9]. While the two reviews referenced indicate the importance of behavioral family lifestyle intervention, neither explicitly deals with the influence of the participant’s social network on the intervention
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