ANALYZING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING PROMOTION AMONG NEWCOMER FAMILIES

Abstract

Background: Obesity affects over 1 billion individuals across the world. In Canada, nearly 1 in 7 children and adolescents are obese. The risk of obesity is heightened for newcomer children due to their adoption of the Western diet and a sedentary lifestyle. While healthcare providers (HCPs) are the first point of contact upon health concerns, little is known about how HCPs approach HAL communication with newcomer families, with the goal of preventing childhood obesity.

Objectives: This study aims to understand HCPs’ experiences with newcomer families relating to (1) HAL communication, (2) HAL promotion strategies, and (3) challenges with HAL promotion.

Methods: 12 HCPs currently practicing in Hamilton and experienced in working with newcomer families completed 30–60-minute semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes relating to HAL communication approaches, HAL promotion strategies, and challenges with promoting HAL among newcomer families.

Results: Three themes emerged for HAL communication: 1) reactive approach, 2) patient-centered and culturally sensitive communication, 3) holistic health discussions. Four themes emerged for HAL promotion strategies: 1) tailored resource recommendations, 2) facilitating connections among newcomers, 3) family-centered approach, 4) referrals to additional support. Five themes emerged for challenges with HAL promotion: 1) time constraints, 2) difficulty to obtain buy-in, 3) limited resources awareness & availability, 4) navigating sensitivity and empathy, 5) ambiguity in role responsibilities.

Conclusion: HCPs emphasized the influence of time limitations, limited resource awareness, and newcomer families’ competing priorities on limiting their ability to proactively promote HAL. Analyzing the data through the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) framework revealed the various intersecting determinants of health that make HAL promotion an intricate task. With HCPs expressing reservations about their efficacy in promoting HAL proactively, investigation into collaborative approaches for proactive HAL promotion should be explored.