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A delayed-control trial examining the impact of body mass index recognition on obesity-related counseling
Kyung E Rhee1, Thao-Ly Phan, Richard F Barnes
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Development and Community Health, University of California, San Diego, 4305 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105, USA. k1rhee@ucsd.edu
Insights
Providing a body mass index (BMI) wheel and education significantly improved BMI recognition among pediatric providers. This increased recognition was linked to better obesity management for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Obesity Management
- Public Health
Background:
- Low rates of body mass index (BMI) calculation and plotting in pediatric care.
- Need to improve identification and management of childhood obesity.
- Assessing the impact of educational interventions on clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if a BMI wheel and brief education increase BMI recognition.
- To determine if increased BMI recognition leads to more obesity-related counseling.
- To assess the effectiveness of a targeted intervention in a pediatric setting.
Main Methods:
- Delayed-control intervention study design.
- Analysis of 1640 well-child visit records.
- Intervention included a 20-minute educational session and BMI wheel.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in BMI recognition post-intervention in one clinic.
- Obesity-related counseling was more frequent when BMI was recognized.
- No immediate changes observed in the control clinic until delayed intervention.
Conclusions:
- Brief education and BMI wheels effectively enhance BMI recognition in pediatric settings.
- BMI recognition is associated with improved obesity management strategies.
- Further interventions are needed to optimize BMI recognition and provider support for treating childhood obesity.
Background:
Rates of body mass index (BMI) calculation and plotting remain low. We examined whether providing a BMI wheel and brief education to pediatric residents and attendings would increase rates of "BMI recognition" and obesity-related counseling.
Methods:
A delayed-control design was used to evaluate a 20-minute intervention. A total of 1640 records of well-child visits were reviewed to determine the proportion of records in which BMI was calculated and plotted and counseling provided.
Results:
In clinic A, there was a significant increase in the proportion of records in which BMI was recognized from pre- to postintervention (P < .01). No changes in clinic B occurred until after the delayed intervention. Obesity-related counseling was more likely to occur if BMI was recognized.
Conclusion:
Brief education and BMI wheel increased rates of BMI recognition. BMI recognition was associated with increased obesity management. Additional efforts should be incorporated to further increase BMI recognition and assist providers in treating these children.
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