Effectiveness of a Primary Care-Based Pediatric Weight Management Program

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood obesity is a growing epidemic of great concern for our nation, including pediatric populations treated at military treatment facilities.ObjectiveThis study aims to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a primary care–based structured weight management program in a sample of pediatric patients with obesity at a military treatment facility.MethodsThis study was a retrospective chart review of patients enrolled in the All About Me Program (AAMP) from August 1, 2011, through July 10, 2012. Baseline demographics, 5-2-1-0 behavioral targets, and anthropometric measures were obtained from 54 enrollees. Pre- and post-program weight, body mass index (BMI) percentile, and 5-2-1-0 behavioral targets were compared for 20 patients who completed the program which consisted of a total of five visits over 3 months.ResultsParticipants showed a significant reduction in their BMI, improvement in daily servings of fruits and vegetables, reduction in recreational screen time from baseline, improvement in daily physical activity, and reduction in consumption of sugary beverages.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings are a promising indicator that primary care–based obesity interventions may be effective for the management and treatment of pediatric obesity.Implications for NursingThis evidence-based toolkit provides a practical point-of-care guidance on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of childhood obesity and can be easily implemented in other primary care settings.