Healthy Habits Questionnaire Feasibility and Utility for High-Risk Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric primary care
• Childhood obesity prevention
• Health behavior assessment

Background:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends promoting healthy weight in children.
• Screening for diet and activity habits is crucial for pediatric primary care providers.
• Targeted behavior change counseling requires effective assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement the 5210 Healthy Habits Questionnaire in a primary care setting.
• To assess the utility of the questionnaire for providers counseling patients.
• To gather data on health habits in a pediatric population at risk for overweight and obesity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the parent-completed, 10-item 5210 Healthy Habits Questionnaire for children aged 2-9 years.
• Implemented the questionnaire in a primary care practice serving low-income minority children.
• Assessed provider adherence and perceived usefulness of the questionnaire for patient counseling.

Main Results:

• High adherence to the intervention protocol was observed.
• Providers found the questionnaire content and assessment method useful for patient counseling.
• Aggregate data provided insights into local clinic population health habits.

Conclusions:

• The 5210 Healthy Habits Questionnaire is a useful tool for pediatric primary care providers.
• The questionnaire aids in assessing and counseling children on healthy weight.
• Aggregate data can increase provider awareness and inform patient care strategies.