Feasibility and acceptability of a 1-page tool to help physicians assess and discuss obesity with parents of preschoolers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a brief tool to help pediatricians communicate with parents of preschoolers about obesity risk, prevention, and treatment.


METHODS
The 2-sided Assessment and Targeted Messages (ATM) tool developed by the investigators included sections to assess nutrition and physical activity, self-efficacy and readiness-to-change, obesity-related family history, and treatment/prevention recommendations. Twenty-five pediatricians were recruited to use the ATM and then surveyed regarding their opinions of its feasibility and acceptability.


RESULTS
Response rate was 60%. Most ATM features were considered somewhat or very useful by the majority of respondents. The majority of physicians (62%) indicated that they were somewhat likely to use the ATM in the future, with only 23% indicating that they were very likely to use it. The greatest barrier to its use was time.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatricians considered the ATM tool moderately feasible and acceptable. Time-efficient methods to help physicians address obesity should be explored.
Woolford
Susan J
SJ
Pediatric Comprehensive Weight Management Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. swoolfor@med.umich.edu
Clark
Sarah J
SJ
Ahmed
Sana
S
Davis
Matthew M
MM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014481:United States