Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
4-13-2023
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of obesity in U.S. children ages 6-11 years has more than tripled from 4% to 15% from 1963-2000. Acceleration continued from 2017-2020, with the prevalence of obesity in children at 19%. In 2017-2018, the rise in obesity prevalence slowed in children younger than 6 years of age, but increases continued among certain populations, including adolescents and non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American youth. While obesity that originates early in life is predictive of obesity in adulthood, early healthy active-living patterns beginning from preconception through age 2 years influence the development of children’s future health and risk for obesity. Therefore, in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), we set out to implement interventions beginning from the pre- and peri-natal period that foster healthy behaviors and healthy weight in children from birth to age 2 years including nutrition, supportive environments, and responsive relationships.
Methods: Using quality improvement (QI) methodology over 19 weeks, the QI team will conduct medical record reviews to collect de-identified data elements from birth to age 2-year well-child visits as determined by the AAP. Baseline and ongoing data collection will identify gaps from the AAP pre-determined benchmarks and inform Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles targeting improvements.
Results: Baseline data from 17 pediatricians during October 2022 indicated the greatest gaps from benchmarks were in the pre- and peri-natal risk factor assessment and in the social determinants of health education categories. PDSA cycle 1, which includes 4 ramps with a focus on improving social determinants of health education from nearly 6% to 50%, is in process.
Discussion: Supporting early obesity prevention is critical to promote healthy weight trajectories. Participation in this project will offer opportunities for effective interventions that have potential for a positive life-long impact on childhood weight.
Recommended Citation
Vallabhan, Monique K.; Patricia H. Roldan; Jerry G. Larrabee; Alison E. Campbell; Loretta M. Cordova De Ortega; Rebecca R. Craig; Emilie A. Sebesta; Chloe A. Stoffel; Teresa A. Vigil; Crystal C. Avila-Schroeder; Kristin M. Faulk; Jessica Niles; and Sylvia Negrete. "Optimizing Infant and Toddler Feeding for Obesity Prevention." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_2023_pediatric_research/22
Comments
Poster presented at Pediatric Research Forum