IntroductionHealthcare professionals (HCPs) play an important role in childhood overweight and obesity care, yet they often feel ill-equipped to manage this complex and sensitive health problem. As part of Dutch integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity, a training for coordinating professionals (CPs) was designed and carried out. This study evaluates the training based on the four levels of Kirkpatrick’s model of training evaluation: (1) reaction, (2) learning, (3) behaviour, and (4) results.MethodEleven CPs who completed the training participated in this mixed-methods study. First, completed questionnaires on the four levels were analysed with Qualtrics. Next, the transcripts of semi-structured interviews on levels 1, 3 and 4 were analysed in MAXQDA using thematic analysis. ResultsOn level 1, participants were satisfied with the training as it stimulated their professional and personal development, for instance awareness of prejudices about people with overweight and obesity. Barriers, improvements and needs from the training varied between participants based on their background. On level 2, CPs improved knowledge about integrated care and its practice, skills for providing overweight and obesity care, coaching attitudes, and trust and commitment towards local integrated care. On level 3, the extent to which the learnings were practised depended on the experience and local context of the CP. Last, on level 4 CPs mentioned noticing post-training practical results for themselves, the child and the family, integrated care partners, and the participants’ organisation.Conclusion This study evaluated a training for CPs for the support and care they provide to children with overweight and obesity and their families as part of Dutch integrated care. The training contributed to improve knowledge, skills and attitudes of CPs. This study recommends sufficient implementation of local integrated care to optimally practise what was learned. More on-time evaluations of the training and taking the perspective of the organisation into account is needed. This would improve the training and give CPs confidence to adequately provide support and care to children with overweight and obesity and their families.

Background: Childhood obesity is a complex disease resulting from the interaction of multiple factors. The effective management of childhood obesity requires assessing the psychosocial and lifestyle factors that may play a role in the development and maintenance of obesity. The aim of this study was to add knowledge for further development of a psychosocial and lifestyle assessment for childhood obesity. Methods: Two methods were used. First, a scoping review (in PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, IBSS, Scopus and Web of Science) was performed by systematically searching for scientific literature on psychosocial and lifestyle assessments for childhood obesity. Data were analysed by extracting data in Microsoft Excel. Second, focus group discussions were held with healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines and domains to explore their experiences and views about assessing psychosocial and lifestyle factors within the Dutch integrated care approach. Data were analysed using template analyses, complemented with open coding in MAXQDA.Results: The results provide an overview of relevant psychosocial and lifestyle factors that should be assessed and were classified as child, family, parental and lifestyle (e.g. nutrition, physical activity and sleep factors) and structured into psychological and social aspects. Insights into how to assess psychosocial and lifestyle factors were identified as well, including talking about psychosocial factors, lifestyle and weight; the professional-patient relationship; and attitudes of healthcare professionals. Conclusions: This study provides an overview of psychosocial and lifestyle factors that should be identified within the context of childhood obesity care, as they may contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity. The results highlight the importance of both what is assessed and how it is assessed. The results of this study can be used to develop practical tools for facilitating healthcare professionals in conducting a psychosocial and lifestyle assessment.