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. 2023 Jan 25;20(3):2156.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032156.

Implementation of Combined Lifestyle Interventions for Children with Overweight or Obesity: Experiences of Healthcare Professionals in Multiple Communities

Jenneke J E H Saat  1   2   3 , Elke Naumann  2 , Gerdine A J Fransen  1   3 , Lieneke Voss  4 , Koos van der Velden  1   4 , Willem J J Assendelft  3
Affiliations

Implementation of Combined Lifestyle Interventions for Children with Overweight or Obesity: Experiences of Healthcare Professionals in Multiple Communities

Jenneke J E H Saat et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: To counteract children with obesity, different protocols for combined lifestyle interventions (CLIs) are implemented by healthcare providers (HCPs). To understand the effects of CLI, we studied the implementation process, facilitators and barriers experienced by HCPs.

Methods: A multiple case study design in which community-based CLIs (n = 4), implemented in a total of ten different communities, are conceptualized as a "case". Qualitative data were collected via group interviews among HCPs (n = 48) regarding their implementation protocol, their network involvement and the adoption of the CLI in a community. Transcripts were coded and analysed using ATLAS.ti.

Results: Barriers were the absence of a proper protocol, the low emphasis on the construction of the network and difficulty in embedding the CLI into the community. Funding for these activities was lacking. Facilitating factors were the involvement of a coordinator and to have everyone's role regarding signalling, diagnosis, guidance and treatment clearly defined and protocolled. HCPs suggested adding certain professions to their team because they lacked expertise in parenting advice and providing mental support to children.

Conclusions: Carrying out and adapting the content of the CLI to the community was experienced as easier compared to the management of the organizational aspects of the CLI. For these aspects, separate funding is essential. In the future, mapping the characteristics of a community will help to clarify this influence on the implementation even better.

Keywords: children; combined lifestyle intervention; healthcare professionals; implementation; multiple case study; network; obesity; overweight.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflict of interests. Author A has received a research grant from the HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The author declares this funding sponsor had no role in the choice of the research project, design of the study, in the collection, analysis or interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish.

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