title: Parent preferences for telephone coaching to prevent and manage childhood obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess parent preferences for utilisation of a parent-focused, telephone-based coaching service, or 'FITLINE,' to prevent or manage childhood obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of parents of children aged 2-12 years was conducted at a paediatric practice in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, USA, between July 2012 and May 2013. Parents received questionnaires with clinic visit paperwork and opted-in to the study by returning them to clinic staff or by mail. The anonymous pen-to-paper questionnaire assessed parents' potential FITLINE utilisation, preferences regarding educational content and logistics, and parent/child demographics. Simple logistical regression was used to assess associations between parent and child factors and FITLINE interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among n=114 participants, most parents reported being very likely (n=53, 48%) or somewhat likely (n=44, 40%) to use a FITLINE-promoting healthy habits for children if it was made available. Interest in a FITLINE was greatest among overweight or obese parents (OR 3.12, CI 1.17 to 8.30) and those with children aged <5 years (OR 2.42, CI 1.02 to 5.73). Parents desired to discuss their own health and fitness goals (84%) along with educational topics such as healthy food shopping on a budget (91%) and how to meet children's physical activity needs (81%). Most parents preferred to obtain a FITLINE referral from a paediatrician or nurse (73%), instead of a school nurse (42%) or child-care provider (26%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given strong interest among parents in a FITLINE and the urgency of the youth obesity epidemic, implementation of a pilot phone-based service should be strongly considered.
authors: Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Rachel E
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-7601
authors: RE
authors: Blaine
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Lori
authors: L
authors: Pbert
authors: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Alan C
authors: AC
authors: Geller
authors: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee USA.
authors: E Michael
authors: EM
authors: Powers
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D057240:Patient Preference; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone
keywords: PAEDIATRICS; PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; PRIMARY CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH