Parent Perspectives on the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline for Pediatric Obesity: A Mixed‐Methods Study of Acceptance and Concerns
Authors' conclusion
Parental agreement with the guideline varies widely. While most support behavioral treatment, many express concerns about medications and surgery, and a subset of "Guideline Skeptics" reject core principles such as the use of BMI. Tailored implementation strategies are needed to address these diverse views.
Study context
- Population
- Parents; 62.9% female; 75.5% White; mean age 37.6 ± 7.4 years
- Participants
- 150 parents
- Outcome
- Parental awareness of and agreement with the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline for pediatric obesity
Methodological detailsonline survey, K-means cluster analysis, linear regression, inductive content analysis
- Online survey
- K-means cluster analysis
- Linear regression
- Inductive content analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Aware of the guideline before the survey
- 5.3%
- Guideline Skeptics (broadly disagreed)
- 34%
- Selective Supporters (mostly agreed but opposed medications and surgery)
- 28%
- Guideline Supporters (broadly agreed)
- 38%
- Higher parental BMI predicted lower agreement (β)
- −0.20, p = 0.018
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Qualitative findings
- Added nuance to parents' preference for lifestyle changes; concerns about mental health and eating disorders; emphasis on parental responsibility in development and treatment of obesity
Original publication
Parent Perspectives on the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline for Pediatric Obesity: A Mixed‐Methods Study of Acceptance and Concerns. Pediatr Obes. Published 26 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →