Childhood obesity: overcoming the fear of having healthier weight conversations with families

Introduction Clinicians may find raising the issue of weight with patients or carers and having healthier lifestyle conversations uncomfortable, out of fear or experience of causing offence. A two-cycle audit was completed in a specialist paediatric dental service to ascertain whether healthier weight conversations were being had with patients and their carers. Materials and methods The inclusion criteria for the audit were paediatric patients who were having a general anaesthetic assessment for dental extractions as a result of dental caries. A gold standard was set that all patients having a general anaesthetic assessment should have their body mass index (BMI) calculated and healthier weight conversations should be had with patients and carers and families signposted for further support when necessary. Results Results for the first cycle found that only 7% of patients had their BMI recorded and there was no record of healthier weight conversations for any patient. After the results of the first cycle were shared and ways in which to have a helpful healthy weight conversation discussed, a second cycle was carried out. A significant improvement was made, with clinicians calculating the BMI for 65% of the patients and a healthier weight conversation being had when necessary. Discussion Many of the clinicians voiced that as calculating a BMI and having healthier weight conversations is not something that they had previously routinely done, they often forget to do this. Others stated that they felt uncomfortable bringing up the topic in a way that wouldn't offend the patient or parent, so avoided doing so. Conclusions As a result of the audit, it was strongly encouraged that all clinicians continue to calculate BMI as it was found to be a useful tool for introducing healthier weight conversations when necessary. The subject of healthier weight needs to be acknowledged in the dental setting and discussed with families in a non-judgemental and sensitive way. This paper aims to guide clinicians in how to sensitively broach this subject with children and carers and when and where to signpost if extra support is needed.