Medical nutrition therapy for overweight youth in their medical home: the KIDPOWER experience.

Patient Educ Couns · 2010

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and impact of implementing a standardized medical nutrition therapy (MNT) protocol to treat overweight children in their medical home. Primary outcomes evaluated were changes in eating behaviors, television habits, and weight status. METHODS: A MNT protocol with handouts (known as KIDPOWER) was delivered by a registered dietitian (RD) to overweight children (2-20 years) in 9 primary care practices in a rural community. A medical record review yielded height, weight and selected patient/parent reported eating and TV behaviors from each MNT visit. Mean values were compared by paired samples t-tests. Changes in behaviors and BMI z score were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: For patients with at least three MNT visits (n=109) significant improvements in eating and TV viewing habits were seen by the third visit. Weight status, as determined by a significant decline in mean BMI z score, was improved. CONCLUSION: The KIDPOWER protocol delivered by a RD in the pediatric medical home aided overweight youth in making behavior changes that positively impacted their weight status. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Reimbursement to RDs for treating childhood obesity is improving and KIDPOWER provides a model and tools for community practice.