title: Identification, Prevention, and Management of Childhood Overweight and Obesity in a Pediatric Primary Care Center.
abstract: Background In the United States, overweight/obesity among youth has reached epidemic proportions. The purpose of this project was to (1) examine primary care provider adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines; (2) compare adherence based on patients' weight classification, age, race, and gender; and (3) identify areas for improvement in health care delivery. Methods A retrospective chart audit and feedback quality improvement project was conducted with a stratified random sample of 175 charts of 6- to 19-year-olds seen for well-child visits. Frequencies of provider adherence were reported. χ(2) Analyses of weight classification, age, race, or gender influence on adherence was calculated. Results After discussion with the primary care providers, 5 areas were identified as priorities for change (diagnosis based on BMI, parental history of obesity, sleep assessment, endocrine assessment, and attendance of patients at the follow-up visit). Conclusion Cost-efficient, feasible strategies to improve provider adherence to recommendations for identification, prevention and management of childhood overweight and obesity were identified.
authors.affiliation: Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA Monique_Reed@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Heide
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cygan
authors.affiliation: Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.affiliation: Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mullen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: childhood obesity; identification; management; prevention; primary care practice; quality improvement project