Managing Excessive Weight Gain in Children <2 Years of Age: Interviews with Primary Care Providers

Excessive weight gain in the first 2 years of childhood is a risk factor for future obesity. However, the current absence of clear, standardized identification and treatment guidelines may hinder primary care providers' (PCPs) ability to manage early excessive weight gain in children <2. The objective of this study was to explore PCPs' perspectives on evaluating and communicating about early excessive weight gain and to identify PCP-opined barriers to the care of children exhibiting such trends. A trained interviewer conducted 20 semistructured interviews with PCPs on identifying and communicating with families about early excessive weight gain in children <2 years old. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the transcripts. Interviews uncovered three major themes: (1) the approach to identifying excessive weight gain in children <2 showed high variability across participants despite relative consistency in weight assessment methodology, (2) while possessing communication strategies, providers recognized multiple barriers impeding the execution of weight-related conversations with caregivers, and (3) providers perceived the need for additional support to improve their ability to respond to excessive weight gain in children <2 years old. Variability exists in PCP-reported methods used and barriers faced when identifying, communicating, and responding to excessive weight gain in very early childhood. Introducing guidelines and resources to help standardize the assessment and communication of excessive weight gain in children <2 could augment PCPs' strategies for managing accelerated weight-gain trajectories to mitigate rates of childhood obesity.