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