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BMC Health Services Research

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

A lifestyle screening tool for young children in the community: needs and wishes of parents and youth healthcare professionals

Authors: Anne Krijger, Lieke Schiphof-Godart, Caren Lanting, Liset Elstgeest, Hein Raat, Koen Joosten

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Youth healthcare has an important role in promoting a healthy lifestyle in young children in order to prevent lifestyle-related health problems. To aid youth healthcare in this task, a new lifestyle screening tool will be developed. The aim of this study was to explore how youth healthcare professionals (YHCP) could best support parents in improving their children’s lifestyle using a new lifestyle screening tool for young children.

Methods

We conducted four and seven focus groups among parents (N = 25) and YHCP (N = 25), respectively. Two main topics were addressed: the experiences with current practice of youth healthcare regarding lifestyle in young children, and the requirements for the lifestyle screening tool to be developed. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using an inductive approach.

Results

Both parents and YHCP indicated that young children’s lifestyles are often discussed during youth healthcare appointments. While parents felt that this discussion could be more in-depth, YHCP mainly needed clues to continue the discussion. According to parents and YHCP, a new lifestyle screening tool for young children should be easy to use, take little time and provide courses of action. Moreover, it should be attractive to complete and align with the family concerned.

Conclusions

According to parents and YHCP, a new lifestyle screening tool for young children could be useful to discuss specific lifestyle topics in more detail and to provide targeted advice.

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Title: A lifestyle screening tool for young children in the community: needs and wishes of parents and youth healthcare professionals
Authors: Anne Krijger
Lieke Schiphof-Godart
Caren Lanting
Liset Elstgeest
Hein Raat
Koen Joosten
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10997-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A lifestyle screening tool for young children in the community: needs and wishes of parents and youth healthcare professionals

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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