Overweight youth: Changing behaviors that are barriers to health
Practical advice for dealing with the family, the child, and socioeconomic environment.
Conclusion: On transcending barriers to change
Multiple barriers to controlling childhood overweight are possible. Addressing weight status and related nutritional and activity behaviors is difficult if potential barriers are not recognized and addressed at the outset. Careful tracking of progress toward treatment goals is also important to find additional barriers and motivate patients. When goals are not met, asking the patients why in a nonjudgmental manner might disclose other unforeseen barriers and lead to a problem-solving discussion.
Data support the short- and long-term benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to treating overweight youth.59 Parents can help children change their eating and activity behaviors by modeling healthful behaviors, providing a home environment that makes it easy to make healthful choices, focusing less on weight and more on overall health, and providing a supportive environment for their children to enhance communication.60
Transcending the barriers to change involves lifestyle interventions. A multidisciplinary treatment approach is recommended, one that addresses family-centered treatment, nutrition and physical activity education, and behavior modification.61 Coordination between healthcare professionals is important to avoid giving mixed messages to patients. Combining perspectives and information should lead to a stronger treatment plan and greater treatment success.
CORRESPONDENCE
Wendy Ward-Begnoche, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 800 Marshall St. $ 512-21, Little Rock, AR 72202. E-mail: wardbegnochewendyl@uams.edu
