In a recent set of face-to-face interviews with eight St Louis area pediatricians it came to light that doctors feel pretty useless when it comes to helping obese children and their families lose weight and get healthier. Those that are successful come to the doctor's office already motivated to make changes and the doctor simply needs to answer questions and get them on the right track, but families that do not walk in raring to go are frustrating for doctors because often there's nothing they can say to get them instantly fired up and motivated towards lasting change.

The results of this study seem to point out that finding ways to get families to take an interest in getting healthy on their own, before they go in to see the doctor, is key. Then they can use their time with the doctor for questions and guidance, and they'll have the necessary motivation to keep the momentum going in the months after they've left the pediatrician's office.