When providing support and care for children with overweight or obesity, the healthcare professional's attitude and choice of words are very important.
When healthcare professionals show that they have good intentions and want to help the children work towards a healthier weight, the conversation proceeds positive for both children and parents. It is also advisable to avoid negative, judgmental, and complicated words. This is according to research published in 2020 by health scientist Jutka Halberstadt, national project manager of Care for Obesity.
Invest in a relationship for treatment
When healthcare professionals show commitment to children with overweight, pay attention to the child's circumstances and are aware of the child's pre-existing negative experiences at, for example, school or during previous care, the conversation is more positive. In this way, the healthcare professional invests in a good relationship in order for children and parents to trust the professional and feel supported.
Avoid negative choice of words
In conversations between healthcare professionals and children with overweight, careful word choice is important. This is because 45% of the children and 37% of the parents in the study have experienced the use of words that were perceived as negative and, in addition, many common terms appear to be unfamiliar. Examples include the terms overweight and BMI. Both are frequently used by a third of the healthcare professionals in the survey, but these words do not always connect with the children and their parents. The word overweight is perceived negatively by over a third of the children and parents and the abbreviation BMI is not understood by 60% of children.
Positive words and attitude
The children in the study indicated a preference for neutral or positive terms in the conversation about being overweight such as firm, too heavy, or working towards a healthier weight. The researchers also recommend to check whether words are familiar and which term is preferred by children and parents in the conversation. In addition, it is worth remembering that word usage is just part of the conversation. The way a healthcare professional communicates, his attitude and the atmosphere are also important in strengthening the relationship with children and parents.
Sensitive topic
Signalling and discussing obesity is a task for professionals in the healthcare and social care domain but this can sometimes be difficult. Overweight and obesity and related behaviour can be sensitive topics and an inadequate approach can harm the children and parents, as well as the relationship between professionals and the family.
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