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Understanding pediatricians' views toward school-based BMI screening in Massachusetts: a pilot study
Stefanie A Pietras1, Erinn T Rhodes, Alan Meyers
1Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA 02114, USA. spietras1@partners.org
The Journal of School Health
|February 11, 2012
Summary
Pediatricians in Massachusetts widely use body mass index (BMI) screening in their practices, but views on school-based BMI screening are mixed. Urban pediatricians showed more positive attitudes toward school screenings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Public Health
- Health Policy
- Childhood Obesity Prevention
Background:
- Massachusetts mandated school-based body mass index (BMI) screening in 2010.
- Pediatrician perspectives on school BMI screening are not well understood.
- This study examined pediatrician knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding BMI screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Massachusetts pediatricians' views on school-based BMI screening.
- To understand how pediatrician perspectives influence school screening processes.
- To evaluate current pediatrician practices in BMI screening during well-child visits.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous, web-based survey was distributed to 286 primary care pediatricians.
- The survey targeted members of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- A 40% response rate was achieved for the survey.
Main Results:
- Support for school-based BMI screening was divided, with 16.1% strongly supporting and 12.2% strongly opposing.
- A significant portion believed school screening could improve communication (20.2% with schools, 32.2% with families) and patient care (23.0%).
- Pediatricians demonstrated high adoption of BMI screening in practice (91.6% calculated, 85.7% plotted BMI at well-child visits).
- Urban pediatricians exhibited more favorable attitudes toward school-based BMI screening, even after adjusting for demographic and practice factors (p < .001).
Conclusions:
- Massachusetts pediatricians routinely utilize BMI screening and recognize its clinical value.
- Attitudes towards school-based BMI screening among pediatricians are mixed.
- Urban pediatricians expressed more positive views on school-based BMI screening.
- Collaboration between schools and pediatricians is crucial for successful, impactful screening, potentially being more feasible in urban settings.
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