Document Type
Master's Culminating Experience
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
Despite international attention, pediatric obesity continues to burden healthcare. Much research has been done to identify barriers to the successful reduction of childhood overweight and obesity, however, a more condensed and accessible compilation of these barriers was lacking. A literature review was done to identify the barriers healthcare providers perceive to the prevention and management of pediatric obesity. It was performed in Fall of 2013 from the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, and SocIndex. Two independent reviewers selected relevant articles, developed a coding template, and extracted themes. Barriers to the prevention and management of pediatric obesity fell into three overarching categories with 17 individual themes. The first category addressed external factors that inhibited providers from discussing the topic. The second category focused on barriers to interpersonal communication. The last category described provider perceptions of the caregiver. Healthcare providers perceive numerous barriers to the effective prevention and management of pediatric obesity. An elemental discrepancy exists in determining roles and responsibilities of providers when addressing pediatric obesity. Moving forward, a discussion amongst key stakeholders is necessary to develop synchronized perceptions, goals, and strategies. Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are growing in importance and provide a new venue to tackle pediatric obesity. CHCs are unique in their structure and relationship with the federal government and thus should be examined for potential opportunities and barriers that, if targeted and addressed, could help progress the fight against pediatric overweight and obesity.
Repository Citation
Beesley, R., & Craker, N. (2014). Analysis of Barriers to the Successful Prevention and Management of Pediatric Obesity and their Relationship to Care at Community Health Centers. Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
