Evaluation of a Pediatric Obesity Management Toolkit for Health Care Professionals: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Health care professionals (HCPs) play a critical role in helping to address weight-related issues with pediatric patients, yet often feel ill-equipped to discuss/manage this complex and sensitive health issue. Using the five As (“Ask, Assess, Advise, Agree, and Assist”) of Pediatric Obesity Management, we created a series of educational videos and evaluated the content, quality (acceptability, engagement), and impact of these videos on HCPs’ self-efficacy, knowledge, and change in practice when addressing weight-related issues with pediatric patients and their families using questionnaires. HCPs (n = 65) participated in a baseline assessment and 4–6 month follow-up (n = 54). Knowledge and self-efficacy increased post-video for the majority of participants. At follow-up, most HCPs reported a change in their practice attributable to viewing the videos, and their self-efficacy ratings improved over time for the majority of questions asked. Most participants rated aspects of each of the videos highly. Preliminary findings suggest that an evidence-based educational toolkit of videos, based on the 5As framework, may lead to changes in self-reported behaviors among HCPs, and sustained improvements in their self-efficacy in addressing weight-related topics with children and their families. (Clinical Trial Number NCT04126291).