‘Now she prefers jeans, like everyone else…’ – Parents' experiences of group‐ and web‐based treatment of children's obesity

Abstract

The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is rising at an alarming rate, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 2016 that more than 330 million school-age children and teenagers are affected worldwide. 1,2 In Sweden, about 17% of children 6-9 years old have overweight, and another 5%-6% have obesity. 3 Children with obesity have an increased risk of remaining obese as adults with several health consequences, such as heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cancer and increased risk of social and psychological problems. 4,5 Therefore, prevention and treatment of obesity in children are essential to improve health and avoid obesity-related complications later in life. 6

Significant effects of childhood obesity treatment with a web‐based component in a randomised controlled study (Web‐COP)

“…In this study, a non‐judgemental approach, fun activities and a lifestyle‐focused approach were likely contributing to continued attendance 28 . This is in line with the responses in qualitative interviews of parents participating in the previous Web‐COP feasibility study 22 . Their shared experiences were taken into consideration when planning this randomised controlled trial.…”

“…28 This is in line with the responses in qualitative interviews of parents participating in the previous Web-COP feasibility study. 22 Their shared experiences were taken into consideration when planning this randomised controlled trial.…”

“…From experiences gained in the Web‐COP feasibility 19 and qualitative study, 22 the web‐based programme was improved in terms of technology for login and a range of educational movies, including a grocery store walking tour. A section on dental health was added as well as tasks to practise healthy behaviours.…”

Adapting pediatric obesity care to better suit adolescent patients: Design of a treatment platform and results compared with standard care in the national patient quality register

“… 34 The significance of a personal contact with a health professional for adolescent patients, as opposed to, for example, web‐based interventions, needs to be further elucidated, but, so far, this has mostly been studied for younger children. 33 , 35 , 36 , 37 …”

Unique Swedish data on young children's growth help to fill the gap identified by the World Health Organization

“…What successful strategies have been used? As Miregård et al point out, parents and health professionals both prefer, and ask for, weight issues to be targeted early in a child's life 4,5 . Good data mean that the effects of interventions can be analysed.…”