A survey of health professional attitudes to body weight status

Project Reference: 08-2009

Status: Completed

Commencement Date: August, 2010

Project Duration: 12 months

Abstract:

This project conducted a survey to assess the attitudes, current practices/behaviours and knowledge of key health professional groups on an all-island basis, by means of telephone interviews (with GPs) and focus groups (with other health professionals), followed by an online survey to determine the attitudes, current practices and knowledge of the target health professional groups in relation to body weight status.

The health professional groups included Public Health Nurses (community; postnatal home and clinic visits and developmental checks); Public Health Nurses (schools); Health Visitors (clinics and community-based); School Nurses; GPs and Practice Nurses (primary care) and Occupational Health Nurses (workplace), all on an all-island basis.

A full review of literature and any other relevant sources to explore the role of the target health professionals in tackling obesity through spontaneous intervention in a variety of health promotion settings was carried out. An online study to assess health professionals’ ability to recognise overweight and obesity in adults and children was also undertaken.

Principal Contractor(s):

Dr Anne Moorhead, University of Ulster, Jordanstown

Collaborator(s):

Single supplier

Outputs:

Reports:

Weight Management in Primary Care

Peer Reviews:

Moorhead SA, Coates V, Hazlett D, Gallagher A, Murphy K, Nolan G, Dinsmore J. “Weight Care Project: Health professionals' attitudes and ability to assess body weight status” - Study protocol. BMC Public Health 2011, 11:202.