Implementation of the Connect for Health Pediatric Weight Management Program: Study Protocol and Baseline Characteristics

Abstract

Background: Promising approaches for reduction of childhood obesity include interventions such as Connect for Health, a scalable, primary care-based intervention to improve family-centered outcomes for children ages 2-12 years. Substantial gaps remain in the adoption of proven-effective interventions particularly in settings that care for low-income children. Methods: We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to examine contextual determinants of implementation of Connect for Health in four organizations that deliver primary care to low-income children in Boston, MA, Denver, CO, and Greenville, SC. The Connect for Health program includes (1) electronic health record (EHR)-based clinical decision support tools to guide clinicians; (2) family educational materials; and (3) text messages for parents to support behavior change. We used the RE-AIM framework to guide our mixed-methods evaluation. Using a quasi-experimental design, we will examine the effectiveness of stakeholder-informed strategies in supporting program adoption and child outcomes. At baseline, we abstracted EHR data from the organizations to describe characteristics of children ages 2-12 years with a BMI ≥ 85th percentile.Results: During the 15-month period prior to implementation, 26,161 children with a BMI ≥ 85th percentile ages 2-12 years were seen for a primary care visit. Across the organizations, 79% of children with a BMI ≥ 85th percentile had public insurance, 49% were Hispanic, and 18% were Black. Approximately 37% of children had a BMI ≥ 95th percentile and 15% had a BMI in the severe obesity category. Childhood obesity ICD-10 diagnostic codes were used more for children with obesity (44%) and severe obesity (60%) than children with overweight (17%); nutrition (7%) and physical activity (6%) counseling codes were seldom used. Referrals for weight management programs were less than 17% and less than 16% for nutrition services. Laboratory evaluations were ordered more often for children with obesity (39%) and severe obesity (64%) than children with overweight (29%)Discussion: A majority of children with overweight and obesity lacked recommended diagnosis codes, referrals, and laboratory evaluations for assessment and management of obesity and related co-morbidities. These findings suggest the need to augment current approaches to increase uptake of proven-effective weight management programs. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04042493, Registered on August 2, 2019; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04042493