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High prevalence of overweight children in Michigan primary care practices. An UPRNet study. Upper Peninsula Research
B M Gauthier1, J M Hickner, M M Noel
1Upper Peninsula Research Network, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Upper Peninsula Campus, Escanaba 49829, USA.
Insights
Childhood obesity rates in Michigan primary care settings are significantly higher than national averages. This study highlights a concerning trend requiring further investigation into contributing factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Understanding obesity prevalence in primary care is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare childhood obesity prevalence in Michigan primary care practices with national and state data.
- To identify potential disparities in pediatric obesity rates.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 993 children (ages 4-17) in 21 Michigan primary care practices.
- Heights and weights measured in spring 1996.
- Prevalence compared against National Health Examination Survey (NHES) and other surveys.
Main Results:
- 38% of boys and 33% of girls exceeded the 85th percentile for weight.
- 16% of boys and 13% of girls exceeded the 95th percentile.
- Obesity prevalence was substantially higher in primary care patients than in national/state surveys.
Conclusions:
- Michigan primary care pediatric patients exhibit higher obesity prevalence than state and national benchmarks.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings.
- Investigating reasons for increased prevalence in primary care is recommended.
Background:
Our goal was to determine whether the prevalence of obesity in children who receive care in Michigan primary care practices is greater than national and state prevalences.
Methods:
We compared prevalences of overweight children and adolescents in primary care practices with the results of the National Health Examination Survey (NHES), the National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys, and a contemporary survey of Michigan schoolchildren. We collected data from 19 rural family practice offices and 2 urban clinics. We measured the heights and weights of 993 consecutive patients aged 4 to 17 years who visited one of the participating practices during the spring of 1996.
Results:
Obesity prevalences were the main outcome measure. Of the boys, 38% were above the 85th percentile of the NHES, and 16% were above the 95th percentile. Of the girls, 33% were above the 85th percentile, and 13% were above the 95th percentile. Prevalences of obesity were much higher among the primary care patients than in the results of the national surveys and the contemporary Michigan schoolchildren survey.
Conclusions:
The prevalences of obesity for children and adolescents presenting for care in Michigan primary care practices are higher than the prevalences documented in state and national surveys. A larger systematic study is needed to confirm or refute these findings. If this prevalence of obesity in primary care patients is confirmed, explanations for the differences should be explored.