2021 Pediatric Research Forum Session

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-15-2021

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States and New Mexico. Excess weight early in life greatly increases the risk of severe health complications in adulthood. The Healthy and Fit Children’s Clinic (H&FCC) at Carrie Tingley Hospital treats children ages 2-17 years old who have been referred by their primary pediatrician for elevated BMI (>85th percentile). The goal of this clinic is to partner with families to lower their child’s weight with lifestyle changes before the need for lifelong medication. Childhood obesity is influenced by a number of social determinants of health, but one that permeates throughout is food security. The H&FCC sees patients from a wide variety of backgrounds. Because successful treatment of the child’s weight requires building a plan around each individual, knowing the patients’ food security status is crucial. This project began by implementing a two-question food security survey as standard of care at the H&FCC. Using this data, food security status will be correlated to the most common conditions seen as a result of being overweight or obese. These conditions include hypertension, elevated hemoglobin A1C and type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated ALT, obstructive sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, and vitamin D deficiency. Prior research has shown a connection between food insecurity and childhood obesity. The patient data at the H&FCC shows a relationship between pediatric obesity and increased prevalence of chronic health conditions. The goal of this project is to directly connect food security status to the incidence of chronic conditions that lead to overall poor health outcomes.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.