Why you should read this article:

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To learn about the barriers that children’s nurses experience when undertaking health promotion to address overweight or obesity with children, young people and their families

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To recognise the importance of children’s nurses having access to education and work-based training on structured interventions for childhood overweight or obesity

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To identify the role of communication skills training in supporting children’s nurses to have sensitive and effective conversations about overweight or obesity with children and young people and their families

Childhood obesity is a worldwide public health issue requiring sustained health promotion efforts by multiple healthcare professionals. Children’s nurses are the main providers of education, support and interventions for those who are overweight or obese. Despite sustained health promotion efforts, addressing overweight and obesity in children and young people is an ongoing challenge. This article details a literature review that aimed to identify the barriers that children’s nurses experience when undertaking health promotion to address overweight or obesity with children, young people and their families. Three themes were identified: lack of time, training and resources; parental motivation and response; and the ‘new normal’. Education and work-based training on structured interventions for addressing overweight or obesity are vital. Skills training in broaching challenging conversations with children, young people and their families sensitively and effectively is also important.