A Scoping Review: Family and Child Perspectives of Clinic-Based Obesity Treatment.
Karyn J Roberts, Helen J Binns, Catherine Vincent and 1 others
PMID 33271477WHAT IT FOUND
Families reported that generic advice and inconvenient clinic logistics drove dropout, while specific meal plans, tailored exercise guidance, and support between visits helped them stay engaged.
Mothers' perspectives dominated the data, with little input from fathers or children.
Key findings
01Participants reported that lack of tailored advice and logistical barriers like travel distance and scheduling conflicts were primary reasons for dissatisfaction or failure to return.
02Facilitators to success included specific detailed plans, such as meal plans and recipes, and the ability to access provider support between clinic visits.
03The review found that nursing was not a component of care in the reviewed clinics, despite authors recommending nurse-led coordination to address family barriers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review did not assess the quality of the included studies, which is consistent with scoping methodology but limits certainty. Data from fathers, siblings, and children themselves were sparse, with mothers' perspectives dominating the findings. Variation in BMI measures across studies prevented the identification of children with severe obesity and comparison of outcomes by severity. The search was limited to English-language studies. It is possible that pertinent studies were missed despite systematic searching.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these barriers and facilitators apply equally to all family members. The data overwhelmingly reflect mothers' perspectives, with very little information from fathers, children, or other relatives. Additionally, the review did not assess the quality of the included studies, so the strength of evidence for specific interventions is limited.