Giving “prescriptions” for paediatric weight management follow‐up in primary care

SummaryThe American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that primary care paediatricians “prescribe” follow‐up for weight management between well child checks. We sought to describe rates and predictors of prescribed and actual clinic attendance for weight management in primary care in a predominantly low‐income population. A chart review was performed at a large, hospital‐bas ed, primary care clinic, where a treatment algorithm for obesity exists. Eligible children were 6 to 12 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile and seen for a well child check in 2014. Primary outcomes were the physician prescribing follow‐up in primary care and the patient returning for weight management. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of prescribing follow‐up and predictors of return. Participants included 1339 patients: mean age 9 years (SD: 1.8 years); 53% female; 79% Black; 89% Medicaid‐insured; 56% with an obese BMI (vs overweight). Twenty‐seven percent of patients were prescribed follow‐up in primary care, of which 13% returned (only 4% of the original sample). The odds of the physician prescribing follow‐up were greater if the child had obesity (vs overweight), was older, female or non‐Medicaid insured. O lder and non‐Black patients had greater odds of returning. Patients prescribed follow‐up within 2 months or less (vs 3‐6 months) were also more likely to return (aOR 2.66; CI: 1.34, 5.26). Rates of prescri...
Source: Clinical Obesity - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research