Conceptualising care for childhood obesity: a three‐world view

Abstract

Purpose

This review paper seeks to conceptualise childhood obesity through clinical, operational, and financial procedures. It informs multiple disciplines about: the trajectory of paediatric obesity and current recommendations; the trends in the clinical, administrative/policy and financial worlds of paediatric obesity; and discusses commonly misunderstood collaborative terms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on analysis of national and international policy documents and research papers in the field.

Findings

Paediatric obesity treatment teams, programmes, and providers could all benefit from a document that bridges the disciplines of medicine, other professions, and financial management. A family centred, multidisciplinary approach is necessary at all stages of obesity treatment care and the three‐world model discussed is helpful in achieving this. The clinical, operational, and financial aspects of the service need to be integrated in a way that reduces the barriers to accessing services.

Originality/value

The paper combines perspectives from different service sectors: clinical, operational, and financial. To facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation, it offers common definitions of terms that often have different meanings for those involved.

Citation

Pratt, K.J., Lamson, A.L., Lazorick, S., Parker White, C., Collier, D.N., White, M.B. and Swanson, M.S. (2011), "Conceptualising care for childhood obesity: a three‐world view", Journal of Children's Services, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 156-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/17466661111176024