Resident Physician Wake Forest Baptist Health - Brenner Children's Hospital Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States
Background: Management of pediatric obesity is a significant focus for primary care pediatricians. Recent guidelines for treatment of pediatric obesity recommend intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT) model. As access to and participation in such programs is a challenge, our institution implemented a virtual, parent-only program based on teaching authoritative parenting approaches to weight management. Virtual learning models and telemedicine provide more flexibility for families with busy schedules, transportation concerns, and other barriers to in-person sessions. More literature is needed to understand efficacy and benefits of virtually delivered educational content within the realm of family-centered pediatric weight management. Objective: To assess acceptability of virtual, parent-only delivery of pediatric obesity educational content, and to understand parental perspectives, information retained, and behavioral modifications after participation in the program. Design/Methods: Eligible parents enrolled in an online, twelve-week series led by an experienced family counselor trained by the pediatric weight management program at a local children’s hospital. Sessions included cooking demonstrations, interactive lectures on authoritative parenting, and goal-setting exercises. Sessions were each one hour, group format, accessed via online meeting platform through home computer, tablet or mobile device. Key informant interviews were conducted with parents enrolled in the series. Parents were asked questions regarding satisfaction with the program, opinion on virtual format, and readiness to participate. They were asked to recall content and discuss implementation of goals and changes in family eating habits since completion of the program. Interviews were reviewed for preliminary analysis to extract general themes. Atlas software will be used to assist with qualitative analysis. Data will also be analyzed quantitatively to measure trends among parent responses. IRB approval was obtained for patient data collection. Data analysis is to be completed by January 2024.
