Planning parental ehealth education about healthy-weight lifestyle in pediatric primary care patients 6-12 years

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a pandemic with immediate and future health risks that demand holistic, personalized, and innovative treatments. Healthcare providers struggle to provide such treatment within the constraints of medical visits. A theoretical and evidence-based eHealth intervention could engage parents and caregivers to improve health behaviors and increase reach to low-income vulnerable families, a high-risk chort often neglected in clinical research. This study aims to identify needs and preferences of potential users of an eHealth intervention. Methods: Focus groups and interviews of ethnically diverse, low-income parents and semi-structured interviews of primary healthcare staff obtained perspectives on the content and structure of a eHealth intervention intended to improve lifestyle habits to reduce childhood obesity. Research team members analyzed the data to identify specific needs and communication strategies for the target population.   Results:  Parents endorsed learning more about healthy eating, physical activity, and the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on their child’s weight.  Parents reported a preference for bright colors, short texts, videos, summary quizzes, and additional resources to explore on their own and with their child. Healthcare staff reported time limitations during clinical visits and an interest in looping family progress into their EHR. Using an eHealth intervention, parents expect an improved relationship and increased trust with their child’s pediatrician.   Conclusion:  Parents and staff saw value in this tool and provided useful recommendations for its design. This eHealth intervention could create a health alliance between the healthcare provider and family, provide personalized content, and be scaled to address health disparities broadly.