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Table 3 Specification of health visitors’ practice behaviours relevant for this study

From: A collaborative approach to develop an intervention to strengthen health visitors’ role in prevention of excess weight gain in children

Actor

Health visitor or HCP 0-5 staff

Actions

Behaviour area: Monitor weight and growth.

Plot and record weight and height/length of the child on appropriate growth percentile charts (frequency as recommended in guidelines); interpret and assess risk of excess weight gain; discuss findings with parents

Behaviour area: Assess and communicate risk of excess weight.

Assess parent-level risk factors; assess infant diet and nutrition, feeding practices, physical activity, sedentary behaviours (screen time use), and sleep; communicate risk of excess weight gain to parents/carers; assess parents’ readiness and motivation to change

Behaviour area: Health promotion and prevention of excess weight

Provide tailored and practical advice and support; use recommended approaches to reinforce consistent health promoting messages; guidance and support for behaviour change; provide information about community programs; referrals to other practitioners and/or services when indicated by guidance

Context and Time

Visits/reviews at home/health centre as specified by service provider organisation; any HV- or parent-initiated contact on topic of infant’s weight, diet and feeding practices, sleep, physical activity, and sedentary activity.

Target

0-2 year old children and their parent(s)/carer(s)