The Healthy Future study. Baseline results in the implementing process of childhood obesity preventive interventions.

Abstract

As a starting point in The Healthy Future project, beliefs, praxis and the routines of health professionals were explored with regard to meeting overweight children and their families. Baseline results, before a developmental process starts to implement evidence based interventions, are discussed. Focus group discussions by health professionals were carried out with public health nurses, general practitioners, staff from hospital, both somatic and mental health pediatric units Health professionals felt uncertain in managing overweight problems in children. They experienced lack of tools, time and effective methods. Public health professionals would refer the children to specialist health care, while the hospital staff point to the public health nurses and GP’s as important resources in helping children and families to a healthier lifestyle. GP’s felt they were not in the best position to be of help. In one region in Norway the routine of referring overweight children to other levels of healthcare service was widespread, even if there was no suspicion of underlying somatic or mental health difficulties. This practice might cause false expectation within the family and might increase the drop-out rate because it might give the impression that no effective treatment is available.