Childhood obesity in the perception of children, families and health and education professionals

Abstract

Objective: to understand the perspective of children, families and health and education professionals about childhood obesity. Method: a qualitative research study with the participation of 13 children, 12 family members, seven health professionals in primary care and seven education professionals, all linked to the Health at School Program. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, using recreational resources and applying a scale of silhouettes with children, during the period from April 2017 to March 2018. The analysis was based on the assumptions of thematic content analysis. Results: three categories were identified: Multifactoriality of childhood obesity; Body image by the child, by family members and bullying at school; Perspectives and actions associated with childhood obesity. For the study participants, childhood obesity is conditioned by overeating, with a low nutritional value, in addition to insufficient physical activity. They also understand that the actions to combat obesity proved to be incipient or insufficient. For children, obesity implies dissatisfaction with body image and bullying at school. Conclusion: according to the perspective of the participants, there is a need for integrated actions between health and education professionals, including children and family members, to prevent and combat childhood obesity; in addition to governmental actions to strengthen public policies that consider health promotion and prevention of harms to the child population.