title: An environmental scan of weight assessment and management practices in paediatric spina bifida clinics across Canada.
abstract: Childhood obesity is a global health concern, but children with spina bifida in particular have unique interacting risk factors for increased weight.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify and explore current clinical practices around weight assessment and management in pediatric spina bifida clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online, self-report survey of healthcare professionals (HCPs) was conducted in all pediatric spina bifida clinics across Canada (15 clinics). Summary and descriptive statistics were calculated and descriptive thematic analysis was performed on free text responses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  52 responses across all 15 clinics indicated that weight and height were assessed and recorded most of the time using a wide variety of methods, although some HCPs questioned their suitability for children with spina bifida. Weight and height information was not routinely communicated to patients and their families and HCPS identified considerable barriers to discussing weight-related information in consultations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite weight and height reportedly being measured regularly, HCPs expressed concern over the lack of appropriate assessment and classification tools. Communication across multi-disciplinary team members is required to ensure that children with weight-related issues do not inadvertently get overlooked. Specific skill training around weight-related issues and optimizing consultation time should be explored further for HCPs working with this population.
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: Abilities Centre, Whitby, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leo
authors.affiliation: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Paige
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Church
authors.affiliation: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.affiliation: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Lorry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swift
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000639:trends; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057566:Self Report; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Rehabilitation; children; disability; obesity; spina bifida