Talking about weight with children and parents

Which terms do children, parents and healthcare professionals like to use when it comes to overweight and obesity? Which ones do they not like? Our team researched this and also checked whether health professionals themselves stigmatise. Furthermore, tools have been developed that help to pleasantly discuss weight and health with children and parents. Please note that, with exception of the scientific articles, most of these sources are in Dutch.

Scientific articles

1. Halberstadt, J., Koetsier, L. W. & Van der Voorn, B. (2024) Communication with overweight or obese children about weight and lifestyle. Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Leefstijlgeneeskunde, 2(4), 153-157.
2. Van der Voorn, B., Camfferman, R., Seidell, J.C., Puhl, R. & Halberstadt, J. (2023) Weight-Biased Attitudes about Paediatric Patients with Obesity in Dutch Health Care Professionals from Seven Different Professions. Journal of Child Health Care. 27(2).
   • Dutch abstract
3. van der Voorn, B., Camfferman, R., Seidell, J.C. & Halberstadt, J. (2022) Talking with paediatric patients with overweight or obesity and their parents: self-rated self-efficacy and perceived barriers of Dutch healthcare professionals from seven disciplines. BMC Health Serv Res 22, 1236.
   • Dutch abstract
4. Van Maarschalkerweerd, P., Camfferman, R., Seidell, J.C. & Halberstadt, J. (2020) Children's, Parents' and Health Care Professionals' Preferences for Weight-Based Terminology in Health Care, Health Communication, 1-5.
5. Stuij, M., Van Maarschalkerweerd, P.E., Seidell, J.C., Halberstadt, J. & Dedding, C. (2020) Youth perspectives on weight-related words used by healthcare professionals: a qualitative study. Child: Care, Health and Development, 46(3), 369-380.

Fact sheets

1. Niemer, S. I. J., van den Eynde, E., Gruintjes, I. & Halberstadt, J. (November 2017) Tipsheet. How to talk respectfully to children and their parents about weight and lifestyle. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
2. Noordam, H. & Halberstadt, J. (November 2016) Fact sheet. Stigma in the care of obese children. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.

Tools

1. Eilander, M.M.A., Koetsier, L.W. & Halberstadt, J. (December 2021). How do I talk to my child about a healthier weight? Tips for parents and other educators. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.
   • Leaflet with references.
2. Stuij, M., van Maarschalkerweerd, P., Dedding, C., Camfferman, R., Seidell, J. & Halberstadt, J. (July 2021). "These words about my weight I like...". Insights for healthcare professionals talking to children. Amsterdam/Utrecht: Care for Obesity/Mulier Institute.
3. Niemer, S., Camfferman, R., Van Maarschalkerweerd, P., Sijben, M., Seidell, J. & Halberstadt, J. (March 2019) Talking about weight with children and parents. A leaflet for care, school and district professionals. Amsterdam: Care for Obesity.