The use of TeleMedicine in the treatment of paediatric obesity: feasibility and acceptability.

To assess the feasibility of conducting empirically supported family-based paediatric obesity group treatment via TeleMedicine. Seventeen families were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (physician visit, TeleMedicine). Measures included feasibility, satisfaction and intervention outcome measures such as BMI percentile, and nutrition and activity behaviours. Measures were completed at baseline, post-treatment and at 1-year follow-up. Analyses indicate that both feasibility and satisfaction data regarding the TeleMedicine intervention were positive. Intervention outcome indicates no change in BMI percentile or nutrition and activity behaviours for either treatment group. A behavioural family-based weight loss intervention delivered via TeleMedicine was well received by both parents and providers. Due to the small sample size, null findings regarding intervention outcome should be interpreted with caution. Future research should focus on methods to increase the impact of this intervention on key outcome variables.

Future directions in clinical child and adolescent psychology: a Delphi survey.

This study sought to identify the future directions in three domains: clinical practice, research, and training of clinical child and adolescent psychologists in the upcoming decade. Doctoral-level active members in the field were surveyed via a two-round Delphi survey (45 in round 1; 35 in round 2). Evidence-based practice received the greatest consensus by the participants and highest rank in each of the three domains. Other highly ranked clinical practice directions included prevention and early diagnosis and treatment, and clinical services for specific psychological problems. Research directions focused on biological and social factors interactions in the etiology and treatment and specific child and adolescent disorders. In the training domain, major directions included the pursuit of specialty training in child and adolescent psychology and training emphasizing the biological basis of behavior. Implications of these future directions are discussed.

Perceived barriers and benefits to research participation among school administrators.

BACKGROUND: Gaining access to conduct research in schools can be challenging, but little has been done to directly assess school administrators' perceptions of research. The purpose of this qualitative study was to increase understanding of barriers and benefits of research participation as perceived by superintendents and principals in elementary, middle, and high school settings. METHODS: Administrators (14 elementary, 14 middle, and 15 high school principals and 14 superintendents; total n = 57) were randomly selected from across a Midwestern state and were interviewed by phone following a semistructured guide of questions. RESULTS: Six major themes were consistent across principals and superintendents and reached saturation. Themes indicated that administrators were interested in research projects that (1) provide tangible benefits to their school, (2) are consistent with their academic mission, (3) are not burdensome, (4) do not take place during state assessment time or other busy times, and (5) are credible and noncontroversial. Previous research experiences leave a lasting impression on administrators and influenced their future decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that researchers should carefully frame their research in terms of how it will directly benefit the school, keeping in mind that academic performance is the top priority for school administrators. Researchers should be very clear and realistic about the time commitments, how the research results will be provided, and how the study may be used to improve the school's academic mission.

Pediatric obesity attitudes, services, and information among rural parents: a qualitative study.

The objective of this study was to learn more about the attitudes concerning pediatric obesity among rural parents, the barriers these parents face in trying to help their children attain a healthy weight status, and the pediatric weight loss services currently available in small rural communities. A series of eight qualitative focus groups were conducted with 21 parents of overweight rural children in third through fifth grade. Eight saturated themes resulted indicating that parents (i) believe overweight children are lazy, (ii) are concerned about the weight of their children, (iii) believe that some individuals will be overweight no matter what they do, and (iv) have tried a variety of techniques to help their children lose weight. Barriers to helping their children lose weight unique to their rural status included lack of weight loss resources in their community, lack of exercise facilities, and lack of low-fat or low-calorie options in grocery stores. Rural families of overweight children encounter many barriers to healthier living, some of which are unique to their rural status.

Health behaviors and weight status among urban and rural children.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric overweight is currently reaching epidemic proportions but little information exists on differences in weight related behaviors between urban and rural children. OBJECTIVE: To assess health behaviors and weight status among urban and rural school-age children. METHODS: Fifth-grade children at two urban and two rural schools were invited to participate in an assessment study of their health behaviors and weight status. A total of 138 children (mean age = 10 years; % female = 54.6) chose to participate. RESULTS: Children in rural and urban areas consumed equivalent calories per day and calories from fat, but rural children ate more junk food and urban children were more likely to skip breakfast. Urban children engaged in more metabolic equivalent tasks and had slightly higher total sedentary activity than rural children. The BMI percentile was equivalent across rural and urban children but rural children were more often overweight and urban children were more often at risk for overweight. CONCLUSIONS: Although some variables were equivalent across urban and rural children, results indicate some key health behavior differences between groups. Results should be interpreted with caution as the sample size was small and there were demographic differences between urban and rural samples.