Role of the Healthcare Provider
Role of the Healthcare Provider:
The 2007 Expert Committee Recommendations on the assessment, prevention and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity define the role of healthcare providers. Nebraska’s Clinical Childhood Obesity Model was developed to assist healthcare providers to readily integrate the Expert Committee Recommendations into practice by resourcing clinicians with the tools necessary to carry out the defined roles which are to:
Assess
The first step in the universal assessment of children ages 2 to 18 for obesity and obesity risk is to chart BMI %. Perform a clinical evaluation, including a history and exam and order appropriate laboratory tests. Using Nebraska’s Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition (PA-N) Assessment Form assess health behaviors and attitudes, and set patient-driven healthy lifestyle goals.
Prevent
Prevention of obesity starts with promoting the initiation of breastfeeding and providing support for breastfeeding through the first year of life. For children ages 2 to 18 who are in the healthy weight category, follow the universal assessment steps, give consistent prevention messages, and reevaluate annually.
Treat
The Expert Committee recommends a staged protocol for treatment with the level of intervention to be based on a patient’s BMI% and age. The keys to successful treatment are to chart BMI% at every visit, follow the staged protocol, target comorbidities, use Nebraska’s Youth PA-N Form to set patient driven goals, engage the entire family in behavior change, and stay the course because small changes yield big rewards.
Advocate
As a healthcare provider, you can advocate as a role model by being physically active and making healthy food choices. Integrate Nebraska’s Clinical Childhood Obesity Model into practice by resourcing your office with the patient educational materials and office posters. Engage the entire clinic in your efforts. Serve as a conduit to community resources and programs. Advocate for environmental and policy changes in your community and join the Nebraska Medical Association’s Childhood Obesity Prevention Project. Together, we can Foster Healthy Weight in Youth.
