Clinical-community training and referral system for childhood obesity prevention in Chicago

Physicians have an opportunity to provide and reinforce health education messaging and assist in developing healthy lifestyle goals during patient visits. 5-4-3-2-1 Go!®, the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children’s (CLOCC) evidence based health education message, could be an excellent tool for brief behavioral counseling for obesity prevention in clinical settings. In 2007, a web-based training was developed to familiarize pediatricians with the message and motivational interviewing techniques aimed at improving patients’ reception. Combining health promotion counseling in the clinical setting with patient referrals to a community network of programs offering physical activity and healthy eating services may provide even stronger support for behavior change.

CLOCC engaged resident physicians (n=18) at Pediatrics – Uptown, a pediatric clinic on the north side of Chicago. Residents received online and in-person training reinforcing 5-4-3-2-1 Go!®, tailored community referral materials, and pre-programed healthy lifestyle reminder options into the patient discharge sheets. Evaluation used a quasi-experimental control-intervention design. Data collected include: participant (n=31) age (3-18), gender, and Body Mass Index z score, healthy lifestyle habits, and intention to change lifestyle habits.

Increases in healthy lifestyle knowledge, attitude and behaviors were seen in residents and caregivers. There was a statistically significant increase of .23 hours in active play (p<0.056) among the intervention group.

This project will give insight into the effectiveness of community referrals and childhood obesity prevention counseling conducted by clinical residents. Findings from this project show the potential of community referrals for nutrition and physical activity opportunities for improving the healthy lifestyles of patients.