Behavioral Counseling for Weight Management by Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study

This study assessed counseling by pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) for management of overweight and obesity.

Using a cross-sectional design, 1,058 PNPs completed a one-time survey regarding counseling for healthy body weight, physical activity, and consumption of protein, fruits and vegetables.

Study findings suggest PNPs are using behavioral counseling for weight management in pediatric patients. Counseling was more frequent for healthy body weight, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity than for protein consumption and muscle strengthening. Furthermore, when PNPs counseled for healthy body weight they were also more likely to counsel for physical activity (OR = 25.99 [95% CI: 19.25, 35.11]), fruit and vegetable intake (OR = 22.35 [95% CI: 16.71, 29.88]), protein intake (OR = 9.82 [95% CI: 7.60, 12.69]), and muscle strengthening (OR = 6.41 [95% CI: 4.98, 8.24]).

PNPs are counseling for healthy body weight and necessary behavioral tools, but increased emphasis on muscle strengthening may benefit overweight and obese youth.