Obesity in pediatric specialty clinics: an underestimated comorbidity

(a) To examine the prevalence of obesity across 31 subspecialties in a tertiary care children's hospital and (b) to examine the percentage of obesity-specified diagnosis codes used for obese patient visits.

We analyzed 48 479 youth aged 2 to 18 years in 31 outpatient subspecialty clinics at Seattle Children's Hospital between 2005 and 2007. Body mass index (BMI) percentiles were determined by age- and gender-adjusted BMI calculated from height/weight obtained at clinic visits. For obese patients, the percentage of diagnoses coded as obesity-specific (278.11, 278.01, 272.02, 783.1) were determined by evaluation of standard diagnostic codes.

Twenty-two of the 31 clinics had patient obesity rates greater than 15%. Analysis of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, codes for obese patient visits as defined by BMI revealed only 2 clinics used obesity-specific codes for >5% of all diagnoses.

Given the prevalence of obesity across all subspecialties, more recognition and resources are needed to screen, diagnosis, and provide coordinated services for healthy weight management.