Infant weight: health visitor and parent conversations (1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Infant weight: Health visitor and parent conversations. A phenomenological study.
IRAS ID
181701
Contact name
Maggie Coates
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This research explores conversations between local health visitors (HV) and parent participants about infant weight (0-2) in South Tyneside Foundation Trust (STFT). In studying the phenomenon of infant weight the researcher wants to make sense between the participants experience and understanding of infant overweight and obesity. What is conveyed, meaningful and influential about the conversation that takes place when HV are face to face with parents delivering the Healthy Child Programme (HCP). This is the framework for HVs to lead public health practice within the UK. The research is supported by figures indicating 13 million children under 5 worldwide were overweight or obese (1990-2012), with forecasts rising to 70 million children under 5 by 2025 (World Health Organisation 2014). Numbers of infants overweight or obese in the UK are difficult to ascertain as data is not collected until school entry. However, 9% of reception aged children are obese and 13% are currently overweight (Baker and Bate 2016). HV and parent conversations have not been explored together before in any significant depth around overweight and obesity in infants and this research aims to unpick how key public health messages occur. What if any key factors (individual, cultural and social) are required for conversations to take place between HVs and parent and what if anything influences the outcome of the interaction itself.
The research will be conducted within South Tyneside Foundation Trust (STFT). Methods for data collection include semi structured interviews and focus groups. Given that childhood overweight and obesity is viewed as a serious public health issue that presents global challenges, new knowledge from the findings of this research will be shared with parents and HVs and will be transferable to other health professionals working in the field of public health with children and families.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0128
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion