The Problem
In North Carolina, the percent of children who are overweight has significantly increased for all age groups. Although there is evidence that interventions can prevent or reverse childhood overweight, there has been insufficient research on models that can reach children on a large scale. Further, there has been little work on the feasibility and financial sustainability of practices integrating nutritional counseling into pediatric primary care, an approach warranting attention.
HWTF Solution (program description)
- Implement pilot-integrating registered dietitians (RDs) who provide nutrition counseling in 6-8 primary care practices
- Partnership with all 4 major medical schools in the state
- Total allocation of $1.4 million by HWTF
- Managed by Duke Community and Family Medicine
- Model has the potential to:
- Help low-income children
- Be financially sustainable
- Be feasible in rural settings
- Improve lifestyle, BMI and other clinical outcomes in patients
Potential Outcomes
IN4KIDS will measure how effectively primary care practices incorporate an RD into the practice, and will study changes in practice behavior, changes in the children referred to the nutritionist, and the potential financial feasibility of incorporating RDs into primary care practices. Study findings are expected to have implications for clinical practice and public policy.