Medical students' perceived comfort and competence performing physical examinations on patients with obesity: A mixed-methods needs assessment.

Physicians are unsatisfied with their training in the care of patients with obesity. Physical examination is a key component of care, and modifications to techniques are often necessary for patients with obesity. To determine learning needs, we examined medical students' perceived comfort and competency in conducting physical examinations on patients with obesity. This mixed-methods study of Canadian medical students used a questionnaire and semi-structured focus groups to assess medical students' perceived comfort and competence in examining patients with obesity. Participants included 175 Canadian medical students. A minority of medical students felt comfortable (42%) or competent (14%) examining patients with obesity. Physical exam challenges included modifying exam manoeuvres, interpreting findings and communicating sensitively around weight. Lack of early exposure to patients with obesity, minimal instruction by preceptors and a lack of curricular focus on obesity were felt to be barriers to improving these skills. Students perceived their lack of confidence as negatively impacting their ability to manage patients with obesity and more training in this area was desired to prevent disparities in care. Medical students feel that adequate training on how to perform an obesity-specific physical examination is lacking. Developing curricula and including formal teaching around these key competencies within medical education is essential.

Looking at Diabetes Through Different Lenses: Focus Groups Conducted With Somali Canadian Families and Their Health-care Providers.

OBJECTIVES: In Toronto, many families with Somali backgrounds have children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). At our clinic, children with African and Caribbean backgrounds have higher glycated hemoglobin than children from European backgrounds. In this study, we explored the experiences and perspectives of Somali Canadian families with children living with T1D, as well as health-care professionals (HCPs) who care for them, to better understand how T1D impacts these families. METHODS: We conducted 3 separate focus groups with Somali Canadian parents of children with T1D (n=11), Somali Canadian adolescents with T1D (n=5), and HCPs who treat patients with diabetes (n=9), respectively. A grounded theory approach to data analysis was applied to identify themes. RESULTS: Four key themes emerged: 1) the general impact of living with diabetes, 2) the challenges of self-management, 3) uncertainty on whose job it is to manage the diabetes, and 4) how cultural differences between Canada and Somalia impact diabetes management. There was discordance in the perspectives of families and HCPs for all themes, but especially themes 1 and 3. Parents focussed on the social impact of diabetes and behavioural indicators of management success, whereas HCPs emphasized clinical measures. Families believed children should take charge of their diabetes self-management early on, whereas HCPs believed the children were not developmentally ready for this responsibility. CONCLUSIONS: Differing perspectives of patients, families, and HCPs may lead to diverging expectations for treatment and management. Families and practitioners must work together to identify barriers to care and build strategies to promote competency and resilience in the self-management of T1D.

Paternal BMI in the preconception period, and the association with child zBMI.

BACKGROUND: Rapid growth and excess weight in early childhood are associated with obesity risk. While maternal preconception BMI has been identified as a potential risk factor, the role of paternal preconception BMI is less clear. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between paternal preconception BMI and age- and sex-standardized WHO BMI z-score (zBMI) growth rates, zBMI, and weight status, in 0- to 10-year-old children. To determine whether these associations differed by child sex and maternal preconception weight status. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted through The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!). Children (n = 218) underwent repeated measures of height and weight from birth to 10 years old. Piecewise linear mixed models were used to assess the association between paternal preconception BMI and child zBMI growth rates (zBMI SD units/month) between 0, 4, 30, 48 and 120 months of age. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association with child zBMI, and logistic generalized estimation equations (GEE) were used to assess the association with child weight status. Child sex and maternal preconception weight status were tested as effect modifiers. RESULTS: Paternal preconception BMI was associated with child zBMI growth rate, mean zBMI and weight status in boys, but not girls. A 5 kg/m2 higher paternal preconception BMI was associated with approximately 0.01 zBMI SD unit/month higher growth rate for boys born to mothers with preconception overweight. Higher paternal BMI was associated with higher mean zBMI and increased odds of overweight and obesity in boys, with greater effects seen when mothers had preconception overweight compared to normal weight. CONCLUSION: Paternal preconception BMI was associated with child zBMI growth rate, zBMI and weight status in boys, with greater effects when the biological mother had preconception overweight or obesity. Further understanding of sex differences in paternal preconception weight effects in children is needed.

Maternal BMI in the preconception period, and association with child zBMI growth rates.

BACKGROUND: Elevated body mass index (BMI) and rapid growth in early childhood are important predictors of obesity risk. The association between maternal preconception BMI and child growth rates is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between measured maternal preconception BMI and child age- and sex- standardized WHO BMI z-score (zBMI) growth rates and mean zBMI, in children aged 0-10 years old. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted with children (n = 499) enrolled in The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!) primary care practice-based research cohort. Maternal BMI was measured during the preconception period, defined as the 2 years prior to pregnancy. Repeated measures of child weight and height were obtained between 0 and 10 years of age. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association between maternal BMI and child zBMI growth rates and mean zBMI. RESULTS: Maternal preconception BMI was associated with child zBMI growth rate during some growth periods, with the strongest association from age 0 to 4 months; a 5 kg/m2 higher maternal BMI was associated with 0.031 zBMI SD unit/mo higher growth rate (p = 0.004), and 0.186 SD unit higher mean child zBMI (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal preconception BMI was associated with growth rate and mean zBMI in early childhood. The preconception period may be an important target for health interventions to promote healthy child growth rate and weight outcomes.