Barriers and Facilitators of Weight Management among School Children with Obesity: A Qualitative Investigation of Parents’ Perceptions

Abstract

Parents play a critical role in influencing the eating habits of their children. This study examined parents’ perceptions of factors that contributed to childhood obesity and sought their suggestions on various modalities for overcoming the barriers to healthy eating. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with 26 parents of 9–13 years old school children with obesity from the United Arab Emirates. Three main topics covered in the interviews were: (1) Parents’ perceptions of their children’s weight and eating habits; (2) Attitudes towards healthy eating and weight management; and (3) Suggestions on how their children can adopt a healthy lifestyle. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using the NVIVO software to identify the emerging main themes and sub-themes. Parents identified individual/intrapersonal (child), interpersonal (peers, family, nannies), and institutional/school environment barriers and facilitators to a healthier lifestyle. The three major themes that emerged were: (1) Negative effects of obesity on children’s lives; (2) Barriers to weight management and healthy lifestyle; and (3) Facilitators to healthy eating. Nutritional education and a supportive home and school environment were suggested for the adoption of a healthy lifestyle by children.

Children’s Training and Competition in Football: The Coach’s View on Family Participation and Healthy Development

“…Parental monitoring and emotional support, regarding the dimension of mental health, are associated with increased self-esteem, fun, and motivation of young people, and the motivational climate created by parents helps in dealing with anxiety and self-regulation [45]. Other elements linked to social determinants of health, such as healthy eating habits for young people, are also related to parental influence [46].…”