Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study

Purpose This study aimed to develop knowledge of how the follow-up regarding overweight and obesity among children in primary school is experienced by the PHN and how the guidelines may be used to improve health services in this follow-up. Methods We analysed semi-structured interviews of 9 PHNs usi...

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Main Authors: Hanna Skjelbred Nygaard, Kirsten Gudbjørg Øen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2306658
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author Hanna Skjelbred Nygaard
Kirsten Gudbjørg Øen
author_facet Hanna Skjelbred Nygaard
Kirsten Gudbjørg Øen
author_sort Hanna Skjelbred Nygaard
collection DOAJ
description Purpose This study aimed to develop knowledge of how the follow-up regarding overweight and obesity among children in primary school is experienced by the PHN and how the guidelines may be used to improve health services in this follow-up. Methods We analysed semi-structured interviews of 9 PHNs using qualitative content analysis. Results Two themes emerged: Following up with children with overweight and obesity is an important but challenging duty; The PHNs call for clearer guidelines. Following five sub-themes: PHNs strive to adhere to the guidelines, show compassion in the follow-up, have difficulty handling parents’ feelings and reactions, feel alone with the responsibility, and have suggestions for clearer guidelines. Conclusions PHNs call for enough resources to communicate the results of the child’s weight in a sufficient form. PHNs and families should establish common goals. The PHN should avoid one-way communication but meet the parents’ concerns and needs. This requires the PHN to focus on building a secure relation to the child and the families, as described by Peplau. Guidelines must include instructions and tools on how to communicate and meet the family’s concerns. Political action and increased funding could strengthen the follow-up and thereby prevent more obesity among children, which can be a predictor of poorer health outcomes later in life.
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spelling doaj.art-3cb3eab7e7644d6e8af4f4b28dcc03c22024-02-01T14:39:34ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312024-12-0119110.1080/17482631.2024.23066582306658Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative studyHanna Skjelbred Nygaard0Kirsten Gudbjørg Øen1University of StavangerUniversity of StavangerPurpose This study aimed to develop knowledge of how the follow-up regarding overweight and obesity among children in primary school is experienced by the PHN and how the guidelines may be used to improve health services in this follow-up. Methods We analysed semi-structured interviews of 9 PHNs using qualitative content analysis. Results Two themes emerged: Following up with children with overweight and obesity is an important but challenging duty; The PHNs call for clearer guidelines. Following five sub-themes: PHNs strive to adhere to the guidelines, show compassion in the follow-up, have difficulty handling parents’ feelings and reactions, feel alone with the responsibility, and have suggestions for clearer guidelines. Conclusions PHNs call for enough resources to communicate the results of the child’s weight in a sufficient form. PHNs and families should establish common goals. The PHN should avoid one-way communication but meet the parents’ concerns and needs. This requires the PHN to focus on building a secure relation to the child and the families, as described by Peplau. Guidelines must include instructions and tools on how to communicate and meet the family’s concerns. Political action and increased funding could strengthen the follow-up and thereby prevent more obesity among children, which can be a predictor of poorer health outcomes later in life.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2306658childrenoverweightobesityguidelinespublic health nurseschool nursecommunicationqualitativehildegard peplau
spellingShingle Hanna Skjelbred Nygaard
Kirsten Gudbjørg Øen
Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
children
overweight
obesity
guidelines
public health nurse
school nurse
communication
qualitative
hildegard peplau
title Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study
title_full Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study
title_fullStr Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study
title_short Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study
title_sort public health nurses experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines a qualitative study
topic children
overweight
obesity
guidelines
public health nurse
school nurse
communication
qualitative
hildegard peplau
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2306658
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