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Sammanfattning

The numbers of overweight children are increasing dramatically worldwide. This problem also exists in Norway, with an increasing number of children having problems being overweight. The purpose of this study was to identify the experiences of mothers of overweight girls when meeting health personnel. The aim was to find methods for health personnel to give parents strength to follow up with their children. A qualitative method is used, with in-depth interviews of six mothers of obese girls. The results are analyzed by using systematic text condensation. The treatment and follow-up of the overweight children and their families in the study are not satisfactory. The mothers experience hardly any psychological or social support, and the primary health service seems not to follow-up on patients who struggle with being overweight. The obese children did not extent the follow-up and treatment they needed. Parents need psychological and social support to motivate children to increased physical activity and changing dietary habits, but feel left to themselves. Individual conversations with parents to clarify and increase motivation and awareness, together with an inclusion of family networks and the creation of user groups in the community can be a support. Locally based sports, specially adapted for children with overweight, along with diet and control by the primary health service are proposed as a tool to achieve the goal. Increased knowledge in the health service of obesity, lifestyle changes and positive coping theories can better care for this group of families.

MeSH