Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41889298›Full record

ArticlePrimary health care research & development2026

Identifying the training needs of Australian primary health professionals to support early childhood obesity prevention: a mixed methods study.

Eve T House, Erin Kerr, Sarah Taki, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, Louise A Baur, Heilok Cheng, Chris Rossiter, Sharlene Vlahos, Li Ming Wen

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Article in Primary health care research & development, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Eve T HouseThe University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydneyhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12, Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6953-4786
Erin KerrHealth Promotion Unit, Population Health Research & Evaluation Hub, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-2293-7542
Sarah TakiThe University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydneyhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12, Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-7228-8993
Elizabeth Denney-WilsonNHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood (EPOCH-Translate CRE), Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-9879-4969
Louise A BaurThe University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydneyhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12, Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-4521-9482
Heilok ChengNHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood (EPOCH-Translate CRE), Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-7299-0416
Chris RossiterSusan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-3833-3076
Sharlene VlahosKaritane, Villawood, NSW, Australia.
Li Ming WenThe University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydneyhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12, Sydney, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-1381-4022

Funding

Non-US Government Research Support type
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesPractice guidelines for Australian primary health professionals (PHPs) highlight their crucial role in preventive care. However, PHPs report a lack of knowledge and skills regarding early childhood obesity prevention. This study aimed to identify the training needs of Australian PHPs - including child and family health nurses (CFHNs), general practitioners, general practice nurses and other community-based health professionals - to support early childhood health promotion and obesity prevention.

methodsFrom August 2022 to July 2023, PHPs were recruited to participate in an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively and qualitative data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

results227 PHPs returned a survey (46% CFHNs) and 28 were interviewed (13 CFHNs). Almost a quarter (23%) of participants had not received any continuing education regarding early childhood health behaviours and obesity prevention, with general practice professionals less likely to have participated in such education. PHPs identified a need to develop skills in growth assessment and working with children at risk of obesity. Digital and visual parent-facing resources were required to support PHPs' discussions of child health behaviours. Important components of education were case studies, self-paced learning, and live interactive discussions (37-46% of PHPs rated as highly important). PHPs sought interactive education activities from reputable service providers and reported time and cost were barriers to education.

conclusionsAustralian PHPs require access to evidence-based education and resources to support early childhood health promotion and obesity prevention. Professional education providers should prioritize interactive and flexible modes of delivery.

Indexed as

Health PersonnelNeeds AssessmentPediatric ObesityAdultAustraliaChild, PreschoolFemaleHealth PromotionHumansMalePrimary Health CareQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesChildcontinuing professional developmentinfantobesityPrimary health care

Identifiers

PMID41889298
PMCPMC13080530

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.