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Updated: May 25, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Implementation of clinical practice guidelines for pediatric weight management
Karen J Coleman1, Anne C Hsii, Corinna Koebnick
1Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Department of Research and Evaluation, Pasadena, CA, USA. Karen.J.Coleman@kp.org
Insights
Computer-assisted tools significantly improved pediatric weight management by increasing diagnosis and counseling for overweight and obese children. This initiative enhanced identification and care within a large healthcare system.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Standardized approaches are needed for effective pediatric weight management.
- Integrated healthcare systems can leverage technology for improved care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of computer-assisted decision tools on pediatric weight management.
- To evaluate the standardization of diagnosis and management for child and adolescent obesity.
- To measure improvements in identification and counseling rates.
Main Methods:
- Large-scale implementation study analyzing electronic medical records.
- Data from 739,816 annual outpatient visits (2007-2010) for children and adolescents.
- Extracted height, weight, counseling, and diagnosis data.
Main Results:
- Height and weight measurement increased from 66% to 94% (P < .001).
- Diagnosis of overweight/obesity rose from 12% to 61% (P < .001).
- Exercise and nutrition counseling increased from 1% to 50% (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Computer-assisted tools standardize pediatric weight management effectively.
- Concurrent pediatrician education enhances tool impact.
- Significant improvements in identification, diagnosis, and counseling for pediatric obesity were observed.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of computer-assisted decision tools that standardize pediatric weight management in a large, integrated health care system for the diagnosis and management of child and adolescent obesity.
Study Design:
This was a large scale implementation study to document the impact of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Pediatric Weight Management Initiative. An average of 739, 816 outpatient visits per year in children and adolescents from 2007 to 2010 were analyzed. Height, weight, evidence of exercise and nutrition counseling, and diagnoses of overweight and obesity were extracted from electronic medical records.
Results:
Before the initiative, 66% of all children and adolescents had height and weight measured. This increased to 94% in 2010 after 3 years of the initiative (P < .001). In children and adolescents who were overweight or obese, diagnosis of overweight or obesity increased significantly from 12% in 2007 to 61% in 2010 (P < .001), and documented counseling rates for exercise and nutrition increased significantly from 1% in 2007 to 50% in 2010 (P < .001).
Conclusions:
Computer-assisted decision tools to standardize pediatric weight management with concurrent education of pediatricians can substantially improve the identification, diagnosis, and counseling for overweight or obese children and adolescents.
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