Running head: A FAMILY-BASED CHILDHOOD OBESITY INTERVENTION

Implementation of a Family-based Obesity Intervention Within a Pediatric Primary Care
Clinic
Courtney M. Agliano RN, BSN
Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation

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Background and Significance
Prevalence of Childhood Obesity
The prevalence of childhood obesity has been steadily increasing over the past several
decades with a current plateau being achieved in the United States (CDC, 2017a). To date,
approximately 1 in 5 school-aged children is obese (CDC, 2017a). The Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (2015) defines obesity as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile,
and as of 2014 its occurrence is estimated to have affected 17% or approximately 12.7 million
children in the United States. The prevalence of childhood obesity is highest among Hispanic
children ages 12-19 years-old followed by 6-11year-old and finally 2-5 year-old children (CDC,
2017a). Some factors that contribute to childhood obesity include excessive caloric intake in the
presence of minimal physical activity, genetics, socioeconomic status, sedentary lifestyle,
environmental factors, sleep duration, and parent-child interactions including individual
parenting styles and feeding practices (Shloim, Edelson, Martin, & Hetherington, 2015). Many
avoidable and potentially lifelong health outcomes can occur due to obesity including
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, and musculoskeletal problems
as well as poor emotional health and quality of life (Waters et al., 2011). Unfortunately, once
behaviors are learned leading to the establishment of poor health habits in childhood, obesity can
be extremely difficult to reverse and may last well into adulthood leading to chronic health
complications (Waters et al., 2011).
Complications of Obesity
Childhood obesity is strongly correlated with an increased likelihood of becoming an
obese adult (Bryant et al., 2017; Foster et al., 2015; Gross et al., 2015; Stark et al., 2016; Taylor
et al., 2015; & Waters et al., 2011). Additionally, there are many long-term physical, social, and

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emotional health complications that result from being obese (CDC, 2017a). In childhood, obesity
is often associated with a variety of health complications including sleep apnea, joint problems,
poor self-esteem, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose
tolerance, headaches, and asthma (Jortberg et al., 2016; Sorg et al., 2013). A meta-analysis
revealed a bi-directional association between obesity and depression and discovered up to a 40%
increased risk of depression in obese adolescents with the highest prevalence being amongst
female adolescents (Mannan et al., 2016). In addition, other comorbidities that often occur when
childhood obesity continues into adulthood include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several
forms of cancer (Jortberg et al., 2016; CDC, 2017a). Fortunately, early interventions that
promote healthy lifestyle habits, especially regarding nutritional intake and exercise, provide
children with the opportunity to make the changes needed to avoid these long-term health
complications and attain positive health outcomes throughout life.
Fiscal Concerns Related to Childhood Obesity
The healthcare cost of obesity in the United States ranges from $147 billion- $210 billion
annually (The State of Obesity, n.d.). The cost of childhood obesity worsens as obesity persists
into adolescence and adulthood (Wilfley, Staiano, Lindros, Lima, Hassink, Dietz, & Cook,
2017). Some of these costs result from increased emergency room visits, prescription drug costs,
and visits with specialists compared to children of normal weight leading to increased Medicaid
spending (Wilfley, 2017). Unfortunately, while research supports family-based interventions to
improve obesity in children, the majority of obese children do not receive evidence-based care
(Wilfley, 2017).
Family-based Interventions

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Literature supports family-centered obesity interventions aimed at improving nutritional
intake, physical activity level, and screen time as a means to provide long-lasting behavior
modifications that result in healthier lifestyle habits and improved BMI levels (Sorg et al., 2013;
Waters et al., 2011). Interventions that incorporate the family unit are needed since a child’s
family establishes the environment and standards by which the child will follow (O’Connor et
al., 2011; Sorg et al., 2013). As a result, interventions involving a family-based approach that
promote healthy lifestyle habits in a supportive environment provide children with the
opportunity to make the changes needed to avoid these long-term health complications and attain
positive health outcomes throughout life (Bryant et al., 2017; Sorg et al., 2013).
Research efforts are currently aimed at utilizing the primary care setting as the place
where obesity screening, identification, and treatment takes place because this location makes
close follow-up with the child and family feasible (Jortberg et al., 2016). Some pediatric primary
care clinics are incorporating computerized tools to aid in prompt identification and subsequent
treatment of childhood obesity and has been successful in decreasing BMI in children, especially
when combined with additional interventions (Taveras et al., 2015). Research studies are also
finding that intermittent familial communication and support regarding diet, exercise, and
psychosocial health with specialized healthcare professionals resulted in long-term weight loss
and improved lifestyle behaviors (Taylor et al., 2016; Waters et al., 2011) (Jortberg et al., 2016;
Taylor et al., 2015).
Many ongoing local, state, and federal initiatives have provided resources to children and
families in need of assistance to improve overall health and BMI levels. The effectiveness of
these interventions is evidenced by the stabilizing obesity rates in the U.S. (CDC, 2017a). For
example, in 2005 the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in collaboration with

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four other health-based institutions launched a national initiative called We Can! (Ways to
Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition) that empowers parents and caregivers as agents of
change against the childhood obesity epidemic (NHLBI, 2014). This program provides a variety
of resources including educational tools about nutrition, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle
patterns while also providing community support programs, so no child, parent, or caregiver is
alone in their endeavors to establish health-promoting lifestyle habits (NHLBI, 2014).
Internal Evidence
In Arizona, 26.9% of children ages 10-17 years old are overweight or obese (The State of
Obesity, 2016). This quality improvement project was implemented within a pediatric primary
care practice located in the southwest region that cares for a variety of children, including many
of whom are overweight or obese. In addition, they care for and treat children with obesityrelated comorbidities and refer children to specialists when needed. The majority of overweight
and obese patients within this clinic are school-age children. A child’s BMI is calculated at every
well-child visit and under certain circumstances when warranted. Currently, the providers at this
practice provide minimal education on nutritional and physical activity recommendations, and
often meet resistance from parents when instructed to limit unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks.
However, childhood obesity that is treated early could help reduce the prevalence of obesityrelated comorbidities that result in undesired long-term health outcomes (CDC, 2017a).
Problem Statement and PICOT Question
The childhood obesity epidemic is a worldwide concern and the healthcare community is
struggling to improve the prevention, management, and treatment of childhood obesity before it
becomes a chronic condition for today’s children. The physical and psychological health
complications associated with obesity are numerous and well understood by most pediatric
healthcare professionals. Additionally, more recent research is discovering that children with

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sedentary lifestyles also have decreased academic and cognitive performance and achievement
(CDC, 2017b). As a result, the need for widespread affordable evidence-based management of
obesity is needed in childhood so children can live healthy and productive lives. Research
supports evidence-based family-focused childhood obesity interventions because the role parents
play in supporting energy balance and healthy familial lifestyle behaviors related to nutritional
intake, physical activity, screen time, and sleep is becoming well understood (Ash, Agaronov,
Young, Aftosmes-Tobio, & Davidson, 2017)
This inquiry has led to the clinically relevant PICOT question, “In overweight and obese
children ages 8-12 years old, how does a family-based intervention that addresses obesity-related
lifestyle behaviors involving nutritional intake, physical activity, and screen time influence these
lifestyle behaviors compared to usual care interventions?”
Search Strategy
Search Strategies for Parenting Styles and Feeding Practices
Databases searched for this literature review included PubMed, CINAHL, and
PsycINFO. Keywords included childhood, obesity, child feeding questionnaire, feeding
practices, parenting practices, parenting styles, BMI, feeding, family-based intervention, family
intervention, treatment, and primary care. The initial search of childhood and obesity and
intervention published within the last 10 years yielded 1,762 results from PubMed, 1,489 results
in CINAHL, and 2,487 from PsycINFO. To narrow down search results, an internet search for
assessment tools and interventions utilized in treating childhood obesity was performed and the
Child Feeding Questionnaire resulted most often as the reliable assessment tool of choice in
studies about the effects of parenting styles on a child’s BMI. The influence of parenting styles
on childhood obesity sparked further interest in this phenomenon. As a result, a new search was

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performed in the above-mentioned databases using the keywords childhood, obesity, and
parenting styles with a date of publication range within the past 10 years. PubMed yielded 43
results (Appendix A), 26 from CINAHL (Appendix B), and 141 from PsycINFO (Appendix C).
Search Strategies for Family-based Interventions
After reading through several articles, it became apparent that family-based interventions
were used most often to treat childhood obesity. Another database search for family-based
interventions occurred with the initial keywords including childhood obesity, and family
intervention with a publication date range within the past 10 years which yielded 447 results on
PubMed, 128 on CINAHL, and 858 on PsycINFO. The keywords used were refined to childhood
obesity and family-based intervention published within the past 5 years yielding 262 results on
PubMed, 12 results on CINAHL, and 318 results on PsycINFO.
Exclusion Criteria for Articles of Interest
Exclusion criteria included studies published greater than 10 years ago except for three
systematic reviews and a combined systematic review/meta-analysis, studies written in any nonEnglish language, and studies that involved children younger than 2 years old and greater than 17
years old.
Literature Review Specifications
After critical appraisal of 50 research studies that focused on better understanding the
various causative factors and treatment modalities utilized in childhood obesity, 10 have been
chosen for this literature review. Study reliability, significance of findings, population age, type
of intervention, and factors under scrutiny for their relation to childhood obesity were all
considered prior to choosing the final 10 articles. Articles assessing family-based interventions
needed to include any of the outcomes of interest including nutritional intake, sugar sweetened

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beverage consumption, physical activity, and/or screen time. The articles chosen address how
specific parenting styles and feeding practices influence a child’s BMI or the effectiveness of
family-based interventions on child weight loss. The studies included collectively contribute to a
better understanding of how childhood obesity arises and is treated. To effectively prevent and
treat childhood obesity, it is important to understand what factors contribute to disease severity,
including parenting styles and feeding practices, nutritional intake, engagement in physical
activity and screen time in addition to which interventions are most effective in achieving
sustainable weight loss and the establishment of health-promoting lifestyle practices.
Evidence Synthesis
Evidence suggests that family-based lifestyle interventions are effective at improving
short-term and long-term weight loss in children and adolescents (Waters et al., 2011). Ongoing
research has identified and acknowledged the varying familial factors that contribute to pediatric
obesity which has led to the development of family-based interventions aimed at decreasing the
prevalence of childhood obesity through behavior modification (NHLBI, 2013). In 2005, 14
community sites around the country were chosen to implement the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) We Can! childhood obesity prevention and treatment framework. The
results revealed improved parental energy balance knowledge and attitudes, portion size attitudes
and behaviors, healthy eating attitudes and behaviors, healthy food behaviors, physical activity
knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and screen time attitudes and behaviors (NHLBI, 2007).
Additional findings include improved child food knowledge and attitudes, healthy eating
behaviors, physical activity knowledge and attitudes, and screen time behavior (NHLBI, 2007).
A decrease in patient BMI scores, sustained changes in lifestyle habits, and improved

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physiological health outcomes have resulted when intermittent follow-up and support is provided
to the families of obese children (Jortberg et al., 2016; Taylor et al., 2015).
As a result, an evidence-based childhood obesity intervention that incorporates the family
unit and intermittent follow-up with the caregivers of overweight/obese children was
implemented to improve the lifestyle behaviors related to nutritional intake, physical activity,
and screen time of this population of interest in order to improve their short-term and long-term
health outcomes.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if educating
overweight and obese children ages 8-12 years old and their families about health promoting
lifestyle modifications utilizing the National Institute of Health’s We Can! childhood-obesity
prevention and treatment framework in combination with healthcare provider follow-up will
result in a reduction of obesity-promoting behaviors and an increase in the prevalence of healthpromoting behaviors.
Evidence Based Practice Model and Conceptual/Theoretical Model
Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change
The Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change guided each step of this evidence-based
quality improvement project. This model provides a framework to identify the need for practice
change, determine and analyze the best evidence in support of practice change, design practice
change, implement and evaluate changes made in practice, and ultimately implement and sustain
newly established practice changes (Dang, Melnyk, Fineout-Overholt, Ciliska, DiCenso, Cullen,
Cvach, Larrabee, Rycroft-Malone, Schultz, Stetler, & Stevens, 2015). First, the need for a
standardized process to identify, treat, and manage obesity was identified in a primary care

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clinic. Next, research regarding best practice recommendations, which included family-based
obesity interventions, was collected and analyzed. Then, the We Can! childhood-obesity
prevention and treatment framework was chosen, and a 15-minute educational intervention was
designed from its online resources and implemented within the clinic. Lastly, when the
intervention came to a close, the data obtained was evaluated and a plan to integrate and sustain
this practice change was devised and presented to the providers at the clinic.
Health Belief Model
The Health Belief Model (HBM) provides a set of criteria that identifies potential barriers
preventing a person from engaging in illness prevention, identification, and treatment (Glanz,
Burke, & Rimer, 2015). For this quality improvement project, the HBM was first used to assess
whether or not the primary caregiver understood how familial lifestyle behaviors influence
whether their child becomes overweight or obese and any health consequences that can occur or
are occurring as a result. The child and caregiver were informed that they can institute changes to
prevent disease as well as improve their health and that the benefits of choosing to adopt the
healthy lifestyle behaviors presented in the We Can! framework outweigh the risks of choosing
to ignore this perceived threat. After receiving this cue to action, the families chose to
participate in the intervention thus increasing the likelihood of engaging in the health-promoting
behaviors presented to them. The pediatric primary care setting provides an atmosphere where
obesity and any comorbidities are identified and thus prompt the caregiver and child to action. It
also enables the provider to instill confidence in the caregiver and child through education
regarding obesity-focused family-based interventions. As knowledgeable and empowered
individuals, children and families are better equipped to implement and sustain the necessary
changes needed to improve their health.

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Project Methods
Setting, Participants, Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
English speaking caregivers of children ages 8-12 years old with a BMI ≥ the 85th
percentile with an appointment at a pediatric primary care clinic for a well-visit were recruited
by one of the two participating primary care providers within the clinic to participate in a familybased obesity-related quality improvement project being implemented at the practice. Exclusion
criteria included families with children younger than 8 years old or older than 12 years with a
BMI <85th percentile, co-morbid conditions including but not limited to: hypothyroidism,
hyperthyroidism, or other endocrine disorders that affect body weight, metabolic disorders,
medical problems that affect feeding or eating, genetic disorders that affect body weight, and comorbid conditions requiring medication that can cause obesity. The clinic was located in a
suburban neighborhood in the southwest region. Interested caregivers received more information
about the project from the DNP student, and if they desired to participate consent was obtained.
The two children and their families who met inclusion criteria were recruited to participate and
consent for participation was obtained.
Intervention
Familial lifestyle behaviors were assessed using the Family Health Behavior Scale
(FHBS) prior to receiving an educational intervention based on the We Can! framework
addressing nutritional, physical activity, and screen time recommendations and again after
following these recommendation for 6-weeks. Then, scheduled follow-up phone calls were made
every 3 or 6-weeks depending on parental preference that addressed any questions or barriers
that surfaced. All patient-related information and data was de-identified, and all documents
obtained were stored in a safe place only accessible by the DNP student and PI.

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Outcome measures
The FHBS consists of four subscales related to familial lifestyle behaviors known to
influence weight status in children which include parental behaviors, child behaviors, physical
activity, and mealtime routines. The reliability of the resulting FHBS total score demonstrated
favorable internal consistency and temporal stability as evidenced by a coefficient alpha of 0.86
and a correlation coefficient of 0.85 respectively (Moreno et al., 2011). The individual subscales
also demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability demonstrated by
coefficient alphas ranging from 0.66-0.81 and correlation coefficients ranging from 0.56-0.84
respectively (Moreno et al., 2011). Validity of the FHBS was demonstrated by lower rates of
health-promoting behaviors being associated with higher levels of body fatness in children
(Moreno et al., 2011).
Data collection, Data Analysis Plan, and Budget
Pre-intervention FHBS data was obtained immediately prior to the education intervention
and the re-assessment occurred over the phone after the 6-week time frame ended. Data was
insufficient to undergo statistical analysis so anecdotal findings were utilized for future
implementation of this intervention and for clinic site obesity-related care quality improvements.
The proposed budget was $100 which covered the cost of the We Can! educational resource
packet that was constructed and provided to the families at the time of the intervention. No
additional materials were required.
Organizational Culture
Prior to this intervention, although BMI was obtained for every 2-years-old and greater
well-child visit within the clinic, obesity treatment and management was inconsistent among the
clinic’s providers. The clinic was in obvious need of a standardized process to prevent, treat, and

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manage overweight and obese patients. One nurse practitioner and one physician’s assistant
within the clinic acknowledged the need to address this gap in practice and assisted with project
implementation by participating in the recruitment process. They will likely be the innovative
agents of culture change within the practice for obesity prevention, treatment, and management.
Project Outcomes
Family Health Behavior Scale (FHBS) Results
Of the two patients who participated, pre- and post-intervention data was completed and
obtained from only one of the participating families. The data obtained from the family that
participated in the intervention from start to finish showed improved scores within each of the 4
FHBS subscales. Overall, 11 of the 27 behaviors assessed improved, 12 behaviors resulted in no
change, and 4 behaviors worsened.
Parental behaviors subscale.
In the parent behaviors subscale, 4 of 10 behaviors improved, 2 worsened, and 4 stayed
the same. Specific behaviors that improved include: child assistance in choosing healthy food
options, preparation of low fat-low calorie family meals, personal consumption of low fat-low
calorie foods, and choosing healthier food options when eating out. Parent behaviors that
worsened include the provision of healthy food options when the child asks for junk food and the
provision of fresh fruits and vegetables during mealtimes. Parental behaviors that stayed the
same include: the amount of junk food in sight of the child at home, quantity of vegetables eaten,
participation in physical activity, and child education regarding the importance of making
healthy food choices.
Physical activity subscale.

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In the physical activity subscale, 2 of the 6 behaviors improved, 1 worsened, and 3 stayed
the same. Specific behaviors that improved includes child engagement in physical activity with
caregiver and parental engagement in physical activity with their child. The behavior that
worsened includes child engagement in sports. Physical activity behaviors that remained the
same include: child preference for indoor activities over outdoor activities, participation in
physical activity or at least 30 minutes/day, and the amount of time the child spends playing
outdoors.
Mealtime routines subscale.
In the mealtime routines subscale, 2 of 5 behaviors improved, 1 worsened, and 2 stayed
the same. Specific behaviors that improved include how often the child eats meals at a routine
time and how often they remain seated at the table during meals. The behavior that worsened
included daily consumption of breakfast by the child. Mealtime routines that remained the same
include how often the child ate meals at the table and consumption of 3 meals a day by the child.
Child behaviors subscale.
Lastly, in the child behaviors subscale, 3 of 6 behaviors improved, and 3 stayed the same.
Specific behaviors that improved include: how often the child was offered unhealthy foods by
family members, child consumption of unhealthy foods when feeling bored, sad, mad or nervous,
and how often the child was offered unhealthy foods by other children. No child behaviors
worsened. Child behaviors that remained the same include: how frequently the child eats
throughout the day, the frequency in which the child requests unhealthy snacks, and the
frequency in which the child sneaks food.

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Future Implementation Recommendations
Recommendations related to a more successful implementation of this intervention in the
future include improved provider participation, utilization of broader inclusion criteria,
consideration of the implementation time-frame, application of the Health Belief Model for
addressing existing barriers for each patient prior to implementing the intervention, and
implementation of the FHBS into the EHR. Since only 2 of the 4 primary care providers at the
clinic participated in the recruitment process, it likely negatively influenced the number of
patients who enrolled in the project. In order to improve provider participation, culture change
within the clinic, one that values investing in the prevention, management, and treatment of
overweight-obese children, is needed improve future implementation of any obesity-related
intervention (Douglas, Button, & Casey, 2015).
Inclusion criteria should be modified so that it incorporates as many relevant and
interested patients and families as possible. The narrow inclusion criteria may have prohibited
patients from participating in the intervention, especially since the recruitment time frame
occurred during the fall and winter months when the majority of patients were visiting the clinic
due to illness which was part of the exclusion criteria. Using the Health Belief Model more
closely to provide structure to the intervention could help better address patient health beliefs and
attitudes that prevent them from engaging in health-promoting behaviors.
Lastly, incorporation of the FHBS into the EHR could serve as a measurement feedback
system (MFS) and would help the providers guide obesity treatment, manage patient progress,
illuminate outcomes, and provide feedback (Douglas, Button, & Casey, 2015). Doing so would
also align with the national movement of utilizing information technology to enhance clinical

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decision making and overall care quality (Douglas, Button, & Casey, 2015). Incorporating a
MFS into current workflow would decreases provider burden and resistance to change (Douglas,
Button, & Casey, 2015).
Discussion
Sustainability
In order to sustain an evidence-based family-centered childhood obesity intervention in
the primary care setting, several factors must be considered. The effectiveness of family-based
obesity interventions is widely supported by research, however, there are a variety of barriers in
the primary care setting that prevent these interventions from being implemented. For example,
many providers feel they lack the training to provide evidence-based care to obese children and
would therefore require comprehensive standardized training in order to achieve desired
treatment outcomes and improve provider confidence in implementing such interventions
(Wilfley et al., 2016). Another barrier identified involves the lack of reimbursement for
childhood obesity treatment services (Wilfley et al., 2016). As a result, a widely accepted policy
change related to reimbursement for childhood obesity treatment services is needed to improve
provider adoption and implementation of evidence-based obesity interventions (Wilfley et al.,
2016).
Additionally, utilizing a relevant theoretical framework, in this case the Health Belief
Model, provides a scientific foundation for implementing change and increases the likelihood of
sustaining behavior changes that improve health (Glanz, Burke, & Rimer, 2015). It also provides
a framework for identifying barriers that are preventing the establishment of health-promoting
behaviors which allows the primary care provider to customize their care accordingly (Glanz,
Burke, & Rimer, 2015). Furthermore, without a measurement feedback system in place to
monitor patient progress and outcomes, interventions are unlikely to be properly implemented,

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sustained, or result in desired outcomes (Douglas, Button, & Casey, 2015). With improved
knowledge, confidence, an improvement in familial obesogenic lifestyle behaviors, and adequate
reimbursement for services provided, primary care providers would be better equipped to
implement practice change and sustain these much-needed interventions within the primary care
clinic setting.
Strengths
There were several strengths associated with this quality improvement project. Two of
the four providers in the clinic acknowledged the need for improved practice culture regarding
the prioritization of obesity prevention, treatment, and management and were therefore actively
invested in recruiting patients who met inclusion criteria. The one family who participated in the
project from start to finish not only followed the intervention framework as recommended but
achieved an improvement in 11 of the 27 familial behaviors assessed in just six weeks.
Additionally, the providers at the clinic who participated in the project verbalized intent to utilize
several aspects of the intervention for the prevention, treatment, and management of their
overweight and obese patients.
Limitations
This primary care-based quality improvement project had several limitations. The lack of
involvement in patient recruitment by two of the four primary care providers at the clinic site
resulted in low participant enrollment in the intervention. The narrow inclusion criteria and the
requirement that the child could not be ill during their clinic visit disqualified many pertinent and
potentially interested patients and families from participating. Participant enrollment was also
hindered because it occurred during the fall and winter months when most children who would
have qualified for inclusion in the project were scheduled for sick visits.

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Furthermore, having a short 6-week intervention time-frame may have prevented
participants from achieving better results on the FHBS from pre- to post-intervention. A longer
intervention duration involving additional follow-up communication instances between the
caregiver and provider may have improved the patient’s and family’s outcomes. Also, low
patient enrollment and lack of post-intervention FHBS completion by one of the two participants
in the project resulted in data that was insufficient to perform statistical analysis. Additionally,
findings would be more generalizable if a larger participant sample size was achieved.
Conclusion
Family-based interventions implemented in families with overweight or obese children
can lead to improved lifestyle behaviors consistent with decreased future adverse health
outcomes (Foster et al., 2015; Sorg et al., 2013; Waters et al., 2011). By using the FHBS to
assess familial lifestyle behaviors related to nutritional intake, physical activity, mealtime
routines, and screen time, obesogenic behaviors can be identified and replaced with healthpromoting behaviors that can improve overall health outcomes for overweight-obese children
and their families. Healthier lifestyle practices recommended in the NHLBI We Can! framework
focus on improving nutritional intake, physical activity, and screen time and can help families
not only establish these health-promoting behaviors but have the potential to decrease child BMI
measurements over time (NHLBI, 2014). This family-based intervention allows for sustainable
changes that will not only decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity in this pediatric primary
care practice, but also provide the tools needed to adopt healthier lifestyle practices and avoid
future health complications associated with obesity (NIH, 2014), especially when an evidencebased framework is utilized to guide the intervention (Glanz, Burke, & Rimer, 2015), and a

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measurement feedback system is implemented to monitor patient progress and outcomes
(Douglas, Button, & Casey, 2015).
Moreover, primary care providers are ideal when it comes to implementing family-based
obesity interventions. They have a variety of opportunities to do so in the clinic setting, for
example during well-child visits, they serve as models for how to live a healthy lifestyle, and
they have an abundance of knowledge regarding community resources that can further support
family’s initiatives to establish healthy lifestyle habits (Vine, Hargreaves, Briefel, & Orfield,
2013). By addressing primary care provider resistance to implementing evidence-based pediatric
obesity interventions, the prevention, treatment, and management of childhood obesity can
improve not only the health of the child, but the health of the entire family (Wilfley et al., 2017).

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