Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Background

This study aimed to capture public beliefs about living with obesity, examine how these beliefs have changed over time and to explore whether certain characteristics were associated with them in a nationally representative sample of adults from the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI).

Methods

A cross-sectional survey employed a random quota sampling approach to recruit a nationally representative sample of 1046 adults across NI and RoI. Telephone interviews captured information on demographics; health behaviours & attitudes; and beliefs about the consequences of obesity (measured using the Obesity Beliefs Scale). Univariable analyses compared beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity between participants with a self-reported healthy weight and those living with overweight or obesity, and non-responders (those for whom weight status could not be ascertained due to missing data). Multiple linear regression examined associations between obesity-related beliefs and socio-demographics, self-rated health and perceived ability to change health behaviours. Multiple linear regression also compared changes in obesity-related beliefs between 2013 and 2020 in the RoI.

Results

Higher endorsement of the negative outcomes of obesity was significantly associated with living with a healthy weight, higher self-rated health, dietary quality and perceived ability to improve diet and physical activity. Those who lived with overweight, with obesity and non-responders were less likely to endorse the negative consequences of obesity. Those living with obesity and non-responders were also more likely to support there is an increased cost and effort in maintaining a healthy weight. Comparison with survey data from 2013 showed that currently, there is a greater endorsement of the health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight (p < 0001), but also of the increased costs associated with it (p < 0001).

Conclusion

Beliefs about the consequences of maintaining a healthy body weight are associated with individuals’ weight, self-rated health, diet and perceived ease of adoption of dietary and exercise-related improvements. Beliefs about the health risks of obesity and perceived greater costs associated with maintaining a healthy weight appear to have strengthened over time. Present findings are pertinent to researchers and policy makers involved in the design and framing of interventions to address obesity.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14280-9.

Healthcare transition for adolescents and young adults with long-term conditions: Qualitative study of patients, parents and healthcare professionals' experiences

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To examine the needs and perspectives regarding healthcare transition for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with the following long-term conditions: diabetes, cystic fibrosis and congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND

Transition of AYAs within healthcare services has become increasingly important as more children are surviving into adulthood with long-term conditions. Yet, limited empirical evidence exists regarding transition experiences.

DESIGN

Qualitative study fulfilling the completed consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies criteria (see Appendix S1).

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with AYAs aged 14-25 years (n = 47), parents (n = 37) and health professionals (n = 32), which was part of a larger mixed-methods study. Sample was recruited from two children's hospitals and four general hospitals in Ireland.

RESULTS

Transfer occurred between the ages of 16-early 20s years depending on the service. None of the hospitals had a transition policy, and transition practices varied considerably. Adolescents worried about facing the unknown, communicating and trusting new staff and self-management. The transition process was smooth for some young adults, while others experienced a very abrupt transfer. Parents desired greater involvement in the transition process with some perceiving a lack of recognition of the importance of their role. In paediatric services, nurses reported following-up adolescents who struggled with treatment adherence and clinic attendance, whereas after transfer, little effort was made to engage young adults if there were lapses in care, as this was generally considered the young adults' prerogative.

CONCLUSIONS

The amount of preparation and the degree to which the shift in responsibility had occurred prior to transition appeared to influence successful transition for AYAs and their parents.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team can help AYAs develop their self-management skills and guide parents on how to relinquish responsibility gradually prior to transition.

Improving transition to adult healthcare for young people with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review

As survival increases worldwide, large numbers of young people will need to transition from child to adult cystic fibrosis (CF) services. Little is known about the best method for transitioning patients with CF and which transition programmes yield better outcomes. This paper provides a systematic review of the empirical literature on the outcomes and experiences of transition for young people with CF. Outcomes data were subject to a narrative synthesis and a thematic synthesis of experiences data. Structured transition programmes were associated with increased satisfaction, discussions about transition, self-care and self-advocacy skills, more independence, lower anxiety, and increased self-management and parent management of physiotherapy and nutritional supplementation. Young people's concerns included leaving behind previous caregivers, differences in care provision and infection risks. Lack of preparation was a consistent theme. The two most useful aspects of transition programmes were meeting the adult doctors/CF specialist nurse/team and visiting the adult centre. Young people want education about the differences between services, implications of their condition and self-care management. Structured transition programmes appear to impact positively on experiences but the contribution of the different components of transition programmes is unclear. The absence of high-quality studies indicates the need for more well-designed research.

Health-related quality of life of young people with long-term illnesses before and after transfer from child to adult healthcare

BACKGROUND

The numbers of children with long-term illnesses surviving into adulthood and transferring from child to adult services has increased dramatically in the last 30 years. This study aimed to examine health-related quality of life pre- and post-transfer from child to adult healthcare for young people with three long-term illnesses.

METHODS

A total of 217 young people with cystic fibrosis, congenital heart defects or diabetes attending child and adult hospital services in Dublin, Ireland completed a questionnaire survey. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of five dimensions of health-related quality of life pre- and post-transfer.

RESULTS

Post-transfer young people with congenital heart disease and diabetes reported significantly lower physical well-being than their pre-transfer counterparts. Pre-transfer young people with cystic fibrosis reported significantly lower physical well-being than those with diabetes, but there was no significant difference post-transfer. Pre-transfer females reported lower scores than males on the Psychological Well-being and Autonomy and Parent Relation dimensions; however, these differences disappeared post-transfer. Higher maternal overprotection scores were associated with significantly lower scores on the Psychological Well-being, Autonomy and Parent Relation, and Social Support and Peers dimensions, regardless of transfer status.

CONCLUSIONS

Disease group, gender and maternal overprotection were predictors of health-related quality of life pre- and post-transfer from child to adult healthcare. Transition programmes should promote self-management and discourage parental overprotection.

An evaluation of pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes about newborn bloodspot screening

OBJECTIVES

research suggests that information provided to parents about newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) can be inconsistent. The majority of international NBS programmes recommend that parents should receive information about NBS in the antenatal period, however prior studies have mostly focused on postnatal women's knowledge, with no quantitative study of women's knowledge in the antenatal period conducted to date. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine if antenatal women received information about NBS in the antenatal period and to evaluate their knowledge and attitudes about NBS.

DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS

we conducted a cross-sectional study among antenatal attendees at three maternity hospitals in Ireland. A total of 662 antenatal women (≥36 weeks gestation) were recruited into the study (279 primiparous, 368 multiparous). Women were asked to complete a self reported knowledge and attitude questionnaire about NBS.

FINDINGS

primiparity (OR 2.75; 95% CI 1.65, 4.59) lower educational status (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.02, 3.15) and not having private health insurance (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.19, 2.85) were independently associated with poor NBS knowledge. Fourteen per cent of antenatal women recalled receiving an information leaflet about NBS, yet over 87 % reported that they would like more information. Thirty four per cent of women agreed that they understand everything they need to know about NBS.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

the process of providing women with information about NBS in the antenatal period is inconsistent; consequently their awareness about NBS is limited. To make an informed choice about NBS women require information to be provided in a more structured format. There are many missed opportunities in the antenatal period for maternity care providers to provide women with information about NBS. Our study recommends that healthcare providers should have a more formal and structured approach with regard to the provision of information about NBS in the antenatal period. This could be achieved by incorporating NBS education into antenatal education classes or through multimedia while women are waiting in the antenatal clinic. Healthcare providers may need education about the importance and benefits of providing women with information about NBS in the antenatal period.

Newborn bloodspot screening for cystic fibrosis: What do antenatal and postnatal women know about cystic fibrosis?

BACKGROUND

The Republic of Ireland has one of the highest reported incidences of cystic fibrosis (CF) in the world (1/1353) with an estimated carrier rate of 1/20. No cure exists, however there have been significant advances in available treatments. Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) for CF was added to the NBS programme in Ireland in July 2011. Little is known about antenatal or postnatal women's knowledge about CF.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 662 antenatal (≥36weeks gestation) and 480 postnatal women (post NBS). Women were asked to self-complete a questionnaire including 14 CF knowledge questions.

RESULTS

Among the respondents significantly more postnatal than antenatal women were aware that CF is included on the NBS (81.8% vs 63.5%; p<0.001). 92.7% believe that there are health consequences to being a carrier and 33.6% believe there is a cure for CF. In the multivariate analysis, lower educational status (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.31, 3.46) being an antenatal mother (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.04, 2.18), having no family history of CF (OR 5.82; 95% CI 1.62, 20.90) were associated with poor CF knowledge, while increasing age was found to be protective against poor CF knowledge (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.92, 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study provide a useful insight into women's preexisting knowledge about CF, which could be used to inform initial discussions with parents about their child's diagnosis.

Perspectives on weight gain and lifestyle practices during pregnancy among women with a history of macrosomia: a qualitative study in the Republic of Ireland

BACKGROUND

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is a major risk factor for macrosomia (high birth weight delivery). This study aimed to explore views about weight gain and lifestyle practices during pregnancy among women with a history of macrosomia.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Twenty-one second-time mothers whose first infant was macrosomic (>4 kg) were recruited from a randomised trial in a large maternity hospital in the Republic of Ireland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants at both 6 and 12 months after their second pregnancy. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify distinct themes.

RESULTS

The mothers believed in following their prenatal food cravings to meet their baby's needs, but this led some to eat excessively. Many of the women cut back heavily on physical activity during pregnancy due to perceived risks to the baby. Physical conditions and discomforts during pregnancy often limited maternal control over weight and lifestyle practices. The women were not particularly concerned about weight gain during pregnancy and most did not favour the notion of introducing weight gain guidelines into routine antenatal care. Common differences perceived by the women between their first and second pregnancy included: increased concern about weight gain in their second pregnancy due to prior difficulties with postpartum weight loss and increased time demands in their second pregnancy impeded healthy lifestyle practices. Most women did not alter their perspectives on weight gain and lifestyle practices in their second pregnancy in response to having a macrosomic infant in their first pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis exposed numerous barriers to healthy pregnancy weight gain. The findings suggest that women may need to be advised to follow their prenatal food cravings in moderation. Pregnant women with children already may benefit from education on time-efficient methods of integrating healthy eating practices and physical activity into their lifestyles. Women with a history of macrosomia may need information about the importance of avoiding high weight gain in subsequent pregnancies.