Perspectives on obesity programs at children's hospitals: insights from senior program administrators

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Public Health
• Hospital Administration

Background:

• The rising prevalence of childhood obesity necessitates specialized multidisciplinary treatment programs.
• Pediatric obesity programs have emerged in children's hospitals to address this growing public health concern.
• The National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) initiated the FOCUS on a Fitter Future group to assess these programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the perceived value, funding, administrative challenges, and sustainability of pediatric obesity programs.
• To understand the needs and barriers encountered by these programs within children's hospitals.
• To identify capacity-building strategies for effective pediatric obesity treatment.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey was administered to senior administrators of 47 NACHRI member hospitals.
• The survey focused on four key areas: program value, funding, administrative challenges, and sustainability.
• Data was collected from hospitals that applied to participate in the FOCUS group.

Main Results:

• Nearly 75% of programs were integrated into hospital strategic plans, highlighting their perceived importance.
• Programs provided significant value by meeting patient/family needs (97%), provider needs (91%), preventing future health issues (85%), and enhancing community visibility (79%).
• Key challenges included lack of reimbursement (82%) and high operating costs (71%); program effectiveness (79%) was crucial for sustainability.

Conclusions:

• Hospital administrators consider addressing childhood obesity a core mission component.
• Demonstrating program effectiveness is vital for securing long-term sustainability.
• Findings can guide clinicians and administrators in developing and implementing sustainable pediatric obesity initiatives.