Following Suit: Using Conversation Cards for Priority Setting in Pediatric Weight Management

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2017 Jul-Aug;49(7):588-592.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2017.03.020. Epub 2017 May 3.

Abstract

Objective: To describe families' selections of Conversation Cards (CCs), a priority-setting tool in pediatric weight management, and examine CC-related differences based on families' anthropometric and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review was conducted of 2- to 17-year-olds with obesity and their families who enrolled in a pediatric weight management clinic between January, 2012 and September, 2016.

Results: Medical records of 146 children were included. On average, families selected 10 ± 6 CCs (range, 3-32 CCs); only 50% of families (n = 73) indicated perceived readiness to make healthy changes. Adolescents (vs children) revealed less healthy eating behaviors (P = .001) and physical activity habits (P = .002). Goal setting was perceived to be a motivator across several sociodemographic characteristics (all P < .05).

Conclusions and implications: The CCs were useful in describing families' priorities. The diversity of issues identified by families highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary expertise in pediatric weight management.

Keywords: family; goals; healthy eating; lifestyle; motivation; pediatric obesity; physical activity.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alberta
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet, Healthy*
  • Diet, Reducing*
  • Electronic Health Records
  • Exercise*
  • Family*
  • Goals
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Healthy Lifestyle*
  • Humans
  • Motivation
  • Pediatric Obesity / diet therapy
  • Pediatric Obesity / therapy*
  • Professional-Family Relations
  • Retrospective Studies