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

Henes, Sarah T.; Collier, David N.; Morrissey, Susan L.; Cummings, Doyle M.; Kolasa, Kathryn M.

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2009.11.011

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Volume 81, Issue 1 , Pages 43-46, October 2010

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

Sarah T. Henes
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Pediatrics, Greenville, USA
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Family Medicine, Greenville, USA
David N. Collier
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Pediatrics, Greenville, USA
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Family Medicine, Greenville, USA
Susan L. Morrissey
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Pediatrics, Greenville, USA
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Family Medicine, Greenville, USA
Doyle M. Cummings
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Pediatrics, Greenville, USA
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Family Medicine, Greenville, USA
Kathryn M. Kolasa
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Pediatrics, Greenville, USA
- Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center, Department of Family Medicine, Greenville, USA
- Corresponding author at: 4N70 Brody, Department of Family Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA. Tel.: +1 252 744 1358/5462; fax: +1 252 744 3040.

Received 24 May 2009; received in revised form 3 November 2009; accepted 6 November 2009. published online 14 December 2009.

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.