Paediatric teams in front of childhood obesity: A qualitative study within the STOP project

Introduction: Understanding the underlying factors that influence the approach to overweight and obesity in children is basic to best support families searching a solution to this important public health problem. Objective: To assess attitudes and feelings of paediatric staff in addressing overweight and childhood obesity to parents, exploring perceived barriers and facilitators, for an effective care. Participants and method: Qualitative study by means of individual semi-structured questionnaires of paediatric staff (paediatricians and paediatrician nurses; n = 57; 68% female) of primary health care centres and hospitals in Mallorca. Thematic analysis was done. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: “Parents’ attitude in childhood obesity” (sub-themes “The conscience of parents”, “The parents ask for help”), “Paediatric staff and childhood obesity” (sub-themes “Approaching to the problem: The interview with parents”, “Looking together for the solution”), and “System barriers” (sub-themes “Improving teamwork and health policy”, “Family participation in addressing childhood obesity”). Conclusions: Paediatric staffs know how to treat childhood obesity, but demand training on motivation. Effectivity on therapy of childhood obesity will be obtained after parents/carers recognize the problem and establish a trustful relationship with paediatric staff. The health system is still a barrier to the activity of paediatric personnel. Resumen: Introducción: Comprender los factores que influyen en el tratamiento del sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil es crucial para ofrecer el mejor apoyo a las familias y solucionar este grave problema de salud pública. Objetivo: Describir las actitudes y sentimientos del personal de pediatría al tratar con los padres el sobrepeso y la obesidad de sus hijos, explorando los facilitadores y las barreras percibidas, a fin de realizar una atención efectiva. Sujetos y método: Estudio cualitativo por cuestionarios individuales semiestructurados de personal pediátrico (pediatras y enfermeras pediatras; n = 57; 68% mujeres) de centros de atención primaria y hospitales de la isla de Mallorca, sobre las que se aplicó un análisis temático. Resultados: Se identificaron 3 temas: “La actitud de los padres en la obesidad infantil” (subtemas “La conciencia de los padres”, “Los padres piden ayuda”), “El personal pediátrico y la obesidad infantil” (subtemas “Aproximación al problema: La entrevista con los padres”, “Buscando juntos la solución”) y “B