Identification, evaluation, and management of pediatric obesity in military academic and nonacademic settings

The goal was to evaluate the recognition and management of pediatric obesity in an academic military medical treatment facility and an affiliated branch medical clinic.

Retrospective chart review of 1,876 well-child visits for patients 4 to 17 years of age was performed, comparing compliance with obesity screening recommendations.

A total of 16.7% of patients were obese. The proportion of obese patients was greater at the branch clinic, but providers in the medical treatment facility had a higher obesity recognition rate (40% vs. 26%). Thirty-one percent of obese patients at both locations were noted to have hypertension. Providers at the medical treatment facility performed significantly better in documentation of hypertension and screening for orthopedic complications. Branch clinic providers performed better in screening for abdominal complaints.

A high percentage of military dependents presenting for well-child care are obese. Overall screening and intervention rates were poor, but rates were slightly better at the medical treatment facility.