Exploring primary school headteachers' perspectives on the barriers and facilitators of preventing childhood obesity.
BACKGROUND
Headteachers of primary schools in England are a crucial partner for childhood obesity prevention. Understanding how this works in practice is limited by their views being underrepresented or missing from the evidence base. The aim of this study was to explore primary school headteachers' perspectives on childhood obesity and the perceived barriers and facilitators of prevention.


METHODS
A qualitative study with a purposive sample of 14 primary school headteachers from the Yorkshire and Humber region of England was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic approach.


RESULTS
An extensive range of barriers and facilitators emerged within four key themes; understanding childhood obesity, primary school setting, the role of parents and external partners. A lack of knowledge, awareness and skills to deal with the sensitivity and complexity of childhood obesity across all school stakeholders presents the most significant barrier to effective action.


CONCLUSIONS
Headteachers recognize primary schools are a crucial setting for childhood obesity prevention; however their school's often do not have the capability, capacity and confidence to make a meaningful and sustainable impact. To increase headteachers' ability and desire to prevent childhood obesity, schools require specialist and tailored training, resources and support from external partners such as public health teams and school nursing services.
Section of Public Health, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK.
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Howard-Drake
Section of Public Health, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK.
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Halliday
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012572:School Health Services; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000523:psychology*; D012574:Schools
children; educational settings; obesity