BSPED2024 Poster Presentations Obesity 2 (7 abstracts)
A group exercise programme tailored for a tertiary paediatric weight management service: patient and parent experience
Claire Semple 1 , Katherine Hawton 1,2 , Kiesha Williams 1 , Joanna Campbell 1 , Shelley Easter 1 , Alanna Holt 1 , Lauren Canvin 1 , Sumana Chatterjee 1 , Dinesh Giri 1,2 & Julian Hamilton-Shield 3,1
1University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom; 2University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; 3NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (Nutrition Theme), Bristol, United Kingdom
Background: Whilst recent systematic reviews have suggested potential benefits to exercise interventions on metabolic outcomes for children and young people (CYP) living with obesity, there is a lack of studies examining the qualitative experiences of CYP as to exercise provision within obesity services. Weight stigma has a negative impact on self-esteem and may discourage participation in physical activity. We describe the experiences of CYP under the care of a tertiary weight management service, and their parents, who attended a group exercise programme and barriers to participation for those who declined.
Methods: Approximately 220 CYP aged 2-17 years, with mean body mass index SDS 3.40, are under the care of the tertiary weight management service. All patients aged 7-14 years (n = 157) were invited to participate at no cost, in a group exercise programme run by an external provider (“Gymrun”) comprising 12 weekly sessions lasting 45 minutes each. 29(18%) took up a place and retention was 86%. At the end of the programme, families were invited to undertake semi-structured telephone interviews about their experiences with a clinical psychologist. All families who declined the programme (n = 128) were asked to complete a questionnaire.
Results: Thirteen parents and four CYP participated in interviews following the programme. Four main themes emerged, i) anxiety about not knowing what to expect, ii) importance of celebrating success, iii) inclusivity and iv) noticing change. Increased motivation, confidence, strength and positivity were also described. Previous negative experiences and social anxiety were identified as causing uncertainty for the majority of CYP prior to the first session. 22/128(17%) families who declined the programme completed questionnaires. Common barriers to participation included travel time (55%), distance from home (50%), cost of travel (32%) and uncertainty about what to expect (18%). 54% reported not having enough information about the programme.
Conclusions: This activity program was received positively by families who attended. Motivation derived from taking part, may support other lifestyle changes, and potentially benefit long-term health. Identification of barriers to participation influenced service design, including the development of a film about the programme for future participants to reduce uncertainty and anxiety about what to expect.
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Endocrine Abstracts
ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)
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