Risk evaluation in pediatric practice aids in prevention of childhood overweight

Pediatric providers and the pediatric support staff play important roles in the primary prevention of child overweight (Sidebar 3, page 28). Beliefs and values concerning overweight children must be examined so that biases and misunderstandings can be rectified. Early prevention of pediatric overweight begins with recognition of children who are predisposed to becoming overweight. BMI is the standard of care for screening pediatric weight status beginning at age 2. Office staff need to be knowledgeable about all aspects of BMI, including application and sensitive discussion with parents concerning the weight of their children. Pediatric providers should organize the office environment to support the staff in the screening process. Provision of age-appropriate anticipatory guidelines for the family to help with the prevention of childhood overweight needs to be provided at each well-child visit.