eScholarship@UMMS

Title

Use of a FITLINE to Support Families of Overweight and Obese Children in Pediatric Practices

Authors

Lori Pbert, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Susan Druker, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Bruce A. Barton, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Barbara C. Olendzki, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Victoria A. Andersen, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Gioia M. Persuitte, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Jennifer Bram, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Stephen Kurtz, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
E. Michael Powers, Vanderbilt University
Sybil L. Crawford, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Alan C. Geller, Harvard School of Public Health

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine; Department of Quantitative Health Sciences; Department of Pediatrics; UMass Worcester Prevention Research Center

Publication Date

2016-02-01

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition | Health Services Administration | Pediatrics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a staged approach to pediatric weight management, starting with helping families to make targeted dietary and activity changes. This pilot study evaluated the preliminary efficacy of a pediatric practice-based referral program to support parents in helping their overweight/obese children improve their weight-related behaviors and BMI.

METHODS: A nonrandomized intervention study with contemporaneous control was used. Parents and their children ages 8-12 with BMI > /=85th percentile (N = 37) were recruited from a pediatric practice serving a low-income, multiethnic population. Providers delivered brief intervention and referred families to six weekly FITLINE telephone counseling sessions with a nutritionist who guided parents in helping their child make AAP-recommended changes. Child BMI and parent survey of child diet and physical activity were completed at baseline and 3 months. Medical record data from 44 children matched for age and BMI were collected.

RESULTS: Mean change in BMI from baseline to 3-month follow-up was -0.49 BMI units (standard deviation [SD], 0.95; p = 0.007) for the FITLINE group and 0.35 BMI units (SD, 0.96; p = 0.02) for the control group. Adjusting for baseline BMI, age, and sex, children in the FITLINE condition reduced BMI significantly more than children in the control condition (mean difference = -0.89; p = 0.0003). Significant improvements in many dietary and sedentary behaviors also were noted.

CONCLUSIONS: The FITLINE program reduced short-term BMI and improved dietary and sedentary behaviors. A randomized, controlled trial is warranted to assess the program's efficacy and potential to serve as a model for reducing obesity in pediatric practice.

DOI of Published Version

10.1089/chi.2015.0101

Source

Child Obes. 2016 Feb;12(1):33-43. doi: 10.1089/chi.2015.0101. Epub 2016 Jan 20. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Childhood obesity (Print)

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

26788762

Repository Citation

Pbert L, Druker S, Barton BA, Olendzki BC, Andersen VA, Persuitte GM, Bram J, Kurtz S, Powers EM, Crawford SL, Geller AC. (2016). Use of a FITLINE to Support Families of Overweight and Obese Children in Pediatric Practices. Pediatric Publications. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2015.0101. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/peds_pp/74