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Sammanfattning

Selected children's accounts from the book "Obesity" (Overvægt) by Ørntoft JK og Madsen B was the background for an analysis of how health visitors' understanding of competence to act can be improved in their work with obese children. The conclusion was, among things, that health visitors must evince a broad understanding of the complex reasons for obesity in children. Children do not bear sole responsibility for their obesity. Social structures and living conditions, for example, are of great importance since they form the framework of healthy behaviour. At the same time, the health visitor's most important tool is listening to children's own accounts of obesity. Health visitors must use this as the basis for their dialogue with children. By doing so she shows respect and understanding and will thus experience greater confidence and motivation on the part of the individual child. The so-called "It's up to you" method can prove appropriate communication tool when working with obese children.

MeSH