Management of Obesity in Ghanaian Children: Voices of Health-workers and Parents

Abstract

Obesity has been described by the World Bank as a “ticking time bomb” which has significant potential devastating economic and health effects, for the poor, and low-and-middle-income country dwellers. However, obesity is thought of as a challenge only among the rich, urban, and high-income country inhabitants. This study was conducted in Ghana to gain in-depth understanding of the determinants and management of obesity in children among healthworkers and parents. A qualitative case-study in design, data were collected with an in-depth interview guide from five doctors, seven nurses and eighteen parents purposively selected from the paediatric department of the 37 Military Hospital. Recorded interviews were transcribed, coded manually, and analyzed using the principles of Grounded Theory. Obesity in children is on the ascendancy with inadequate management. Determinants are both familial and environmental with detrimental health and psychological consequences. Some healthcare providers need to be trained in the assessment, diagnosis, proper interpretation, and management of the condition. There is also the need for mass education of the public especially parents, by relevant stakeholders to reduce the incidence of obesity in children and its attendant problems in Ghana.