Treating Childhood Obesity: Building and Evaluating Evidence-Based Models of Integrated Care

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a complex, chronic condition requiring intensive, sustained management.
• Integrated care models offer a structured approach to delivering services for pediatric overweight and obesity.
• Existing models like the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home (PFCMH) provide frameworks for care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize foundational integrated care models for childhood obesity.
• To identify key elements and implementation considerations for effective childhood obesity management.
• To propose a novel integrated care model centered on the child and family.

Main Methods:

• Narrative mini-review of PubMed literature from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2024.
• Searched using broad terms across care models, obesity, and pediatric populations.
• Synthesized findings from foundational models (CCM, PFCMH) to inform a new model.

Main Results:

• Identified two key models: Chronic Care Model (CCM) and Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home (PFCMH).
• Key elements of integrated care include self-management support, team-based care, child/family engagement, community linkages, and care coordination.
• Implementation considerations involve accessibility, virtual care, interprofessional education, and health information technology.

Conclusions:

• An integrated care model centered on the child/family with coordinated wraparound services across health care, community, and home sectors was designed.
• Further research, adaptation, scaling, and funding are needed for implementing integrated care models for childhood obesity.
• Outcome measures are crucial for driving quality improvement and ensuring sustainability of these models.