Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Bailrigg House, Lancaster, LA1 4YE, UK.
University of Chester, School of Psychology, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UK.
BMC Public Health. 2022 Apr 22;22(1):808. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13210-z.
The role of schools in addressing rising childhood obesity levels has been acknowledged, and numerous diet- and physical activity-related interventions exist. Aside from formal interventions, opportunistic parent-educator conversations about child weight can arise, particularly in primary school settings, yet little is known about how useful these are. This study aimed to understand the utility of child weight related conversations with parents through exploring educators' experiences and perspectives.
This qualitative study consisted of semi-structured interviews conducted with primary school teaching staff in the United Kingdom (N = 23), recruited through purposive and subsequent snowball sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis.
Participants identified opportunities and need for child weight discussions in schools. However, conversations were prevented by the indirect and sensitive nature of conversations, and educators' professional identity beliefs. Using pre-existing face-to-face opportunities, good parent-teacher relationships and holistic approaches to child health and wellbeing were reported as important in optimising these conversations.
Whilst educator-parent child weight discussions are necessary, discussions are highly challenging, with contradictory views on responsibility sometimes resulting in avoidance. Educators' roles should be clarified, and communication training tailored to increase teacher confidence and skills. Current social distancing will likely reduce opportunistic encounters, highlighting a need to further improve communication routes.
学校在解决儿童肥胖率上升方面的作用已得到认可，并且存在许多与饮食和身体活动相关的干预措施。除了正式干预措施外，家长和教育者可能会在机会出现时讨论孩子的体重问题，尤其是在小学环境中，但人们对此知之甚少。本研究旨在通过探讨教育者的经验和观点来了解与家长进行有关儿童体重的对话的有用性。
这项定性研究包括在英国进行的与小学教职员工的半结构化访谈（N=23），通过有目的的和随后的滚雪球抽样方法进行招募。访谈进行了录音、转录，并使用主题分析进行了分析。
参与者确定了在学校进行儿童体重讨论的机会和需求。但是，由于对话的间接性和敏感性，以及教育者的专业身份信念，对话受到了阻碍。利用现有的面对面机会、良好的师生关系以及对儿童健康和幸福的整体方法，被认为是优化这些对话的重要因素。
虽然教育者与家长讨论儿童体重问题是必要的，但这些讨论极具挑战性，有时由于对责任的看法不一致，导致回避这些讨论。应该明确教育者的角色，并根据需要进行沟通培训，以提高教师的信心和技能。目前的社交距离可能会减少偶然的机会，这凸显了进一步改善沟通途径的必要性。
