Online Program

331545
Addressing the Health Needs of At Risk Youth: Policy Implementation for Identification, Prevention and Management of Childhood Overweight and Obesity


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 5:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Monique Reed, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL
Heide Cygan, DNP, RN, APHN-BC, Department of Community Systems and Mental Health, Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL

Karen Lui, MD, Pediatrics, Rush Pediatric Primary Care, Chicago, IL
Mary Mullen, MS, RDN, Rush Pediatric Primary Care, Chicago, IL
Introduction.There is a high prevalence of overweight/obesity among school-aged children.  American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNP) recommend pediatric primary care providers include obesity prevention for normal weight and management for overweight/obese children.  Most quality improvement projects assess management of obesity but not prevention.  The purpose of this project was to examine provider adherence to the 20 recommended AAP and NAPNP guidelines for prevention and management and determine next steps to improve adherence.

Methods.  We established an academic/ clinic partnership between the College of Nursing and a pediatric health center serving a low-income population. Of the 3,052 6-19 year olds seen for a well-child visit from June-October 2013, 175 were randomly selected and stratified by gender, race, age, and weight status for this retrospective chart review audit.

Results. Documentation of 8 of the 20 guidelines was present in 45% or less of patient charts; parental obesity (5.7%), and water intake (5.1%) were the least documented of the recommendations.  Overweight/obese African American and Hispanic children were significantly more likely to receive a follow-up appointment than non-Hispanic Whites. Older and normal weight children were significantly less likely to have documentation regarding physical activity and sugared beverage consumption when compared to younger and overweight/obese children. 

Conclusion. Providers appear to have less focus on preventive efforts for older, normal weight, and White children.  Based on these findings the academic/ clinic partnership will develop policies to improve compliance with national guidelines for prevention and management of childhood obesity.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe AAP and NAPNP guidelines for obesity prevention for normal weight and management for overweight/obese children. Discuss ways in which an academic-community clinic partnership can be leveraged to develop policies to improve compliance with national guidelines for prevention and management of childhood obesity.

Keyword(s): Public Health Policy, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have an earned doctorate in public health nursing and have published on obesity prevention in adolescence. Among my scientific interests are work with underserved populations, health disparities and community based participatory research/ community engaged approaches to the research process.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Lui specializes in pediatric primary care and is a board certified pediatrician. Her clinical expertise includes advocacy, allergies, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, childhood obesity, development disorders, obesity, and immunizations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.