The impact of the 2007 expert committee recommendations on childhood obesity preventive care in primary care settings in the United States.

OBJECTIVES

In this study we examined the impact of the Expert Committee Recommendations (ECRs) on childhood obesity preventive care during well-child visits in the United States.

METHODS

Data from the 2006-2009 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey-outpatient department were used to examine frequencies of diet/nutrition and exercise counseling during well-child visits by children aged 2 to 18 years. Differences in rates of the counseling before and after the ECRs were made were compared.

RESULTS

Only 37% and 22% of all patients in 2006-2007 and 33% and 18% of all patients in 2008-2009 were provided with diet/nutrition and exercise counseling, respectively. The frequencies of counseling for patients with a diagnosis of obesity showed no change. Socioeconomically disadvantaged children received counseling less frequently after the ECRs were made.

CONCLUSION

Overall, rates of obesity preventive care were low in all years, with no evidence of improvement after the ECRs were made. Systematic approaches are needed to improve delivery of obesity preventive care irrespective of the socioeconomic backgrounds of children.