Evaluation of a Primary Care Weight Management Program in Children Aged 2 to 5 Years: Changes in Feeding Practices, Health Behaviors, and Adiposity

The study intervention included two primary components: 1) physician-family health behavior conversations during well-child visits, and 2) four monthly visits with a RDN to evaluate, educate, and implement improved feeding habits and nutritional choices. A third optional component of the intervention included counseling sessions with a social worker to help families overcome barriers to change, such as food security, family relationships, and general parenting strategies.

Control parents signed the informed consent document and then completed all baseline assessments during their child's medical visit. Control participants then received their usual medical care. Follow-up evaluations, including child anthropometry and completion of study surveys were assessed approximately 6 months later during a second office visit. For children <3 years of age at baseline, follow up visits coincided with their subsequent well-child visit (i.e. 30-month or 3-year appointment) as per AAP visit frequency recommendations. For patients ≥3 years of age, families attended a separate office visit 6 months after their baseline visit in order to complete follow-up study assessments.