The association between parent-reported provider communication quality and child obesity status: Variation by parent obesity and child race/ethnicity.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between healthcare provider communication quality and child obesity status, and the role of parent obesity and child race/ethnicity regarding this association.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis with the 2011-2013 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey of parents with children ages 6-12 (n=5390). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association of parent-reported healthcare provider communication quality (explaining well, listening carefully, showing respect, and spending enough time) with child obesity status, and effect modification by parent obesity and child race/ethnicity.


RESULTS
Parents of obese children were more likely to report that their child's healthcare provider listened carefully (OR=1.41, p=0.002) and spent enough time (OR=1.33, p=0.022) than parents of non-obese children. Non-obese parents of obese children experienced better communication in the domains of listening carefully (p<0.001) and spending enough time (p=0.007). Parents of obese non-Hispanic Asian children and non-Hispanic Black children were more likely to report that providers explained things well (p=0.043) and listened carefully (p=0.012), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Parents of obese children experienced better communication if parents were non-obese or children were non-Hispanic Black or Asian.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers should ensure effective communication with obese parents of obese children.
Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA. Electronic address: Mwong23@jhu.edu.
Michelle S
MS
Wong
Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
Nakiya N
NN
Showell
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
Sara N
SN
Bleich
Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
Kimberly A
KA
Gudzune
Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
Kitty S
KS
Chan
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations
Health disparities; Obesity; Parent-reported pediatric provider communication