Table 5 Key barriers to addressing obesity prevention in routine practice (n = 55)

Parent related barriers

Parents don’t recognise their child is overweight (n = 51)

5 (9.8)

13 (25.5)

33 (64.7)

Some parents react negatively to me raising the issue of their child’s weigh (n = 51)

9 (17.6)

8 (15.7)

34 (66.7)

Parent is not motivated to change the diet or lifestyle of the family (n = 51)

4 (7.8)

21 (41.2)

26 (51.0)

Socio-economic factors affect the ability of families to make a change (e.g. cost of healthy food) (n = 51)

7 (13.7)

23 (41.1)

21 (41.2)

Addressing the child’s weight is not a priority for parents (n = 50)

10 (20.0)

21 (42.0)

19 (38.0)

A lack of relevance to the parent or child’s presenting issue (n = 51)

15 (29.4)

26 (51.0)

15 (29.4)

Service related barriers

A lack of referral pathways to provide additional/ongoing support for parents if required (n = 51)

13 (25.5)

23 (45.1)

15 (29.4)

A lack of time (n = 51)

20 (39.2)

19 (33.9)

12 (23.5)

A lack of appropriate education materials for parents available in my clinic/practice (n = 51)

11 (21.6)

30 (58.8)

10 (19.6)

A lack of support from managers/supervisors for me to undertake this work in my role (n = 51)

44 (86.3)

6 (11.8)

1 (2.0)

Practitioner related barriers

My advice and support does little to promote the adoption of a healthy lifestyle for parents and their children (n = 51)

15 (29.4)

28 (54.9)

8 (15.7)

I feel uncomfortable raising the issue of infants and young children’s weight with parents (n = 51)

32 (62.7)

16 (31.4)

3 (5.9)

Lack of relevance to my role (n = 51)

37 (72.5)

12 (23.5)

2 (3.9)

I lack knowledge about how to most effectively prevent child overweight and obesity. (n = 51)

42 (82.4)

7 (13.7)

2 (3.9)

I lack confidence to counsel parents about healthy eating and physical activity (n = 51)

43 (84.3)

8 (15.7)

0 (0)

My own lifestyle habits (n = 51)

46 (90.2)

5 (9.8)

0 (0)

I don’t find this kind of work professionally rewarding n = 51

49 (96.1)

2 (3.9)

0 (0)