Background: Childhood obesity in Georgia exceeds the national rate. The state's pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) are well positioned to support behavior change, but little is known about provider perceptions and practices regarding this role.Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess and compare weight-management-related counseling perceptions and practices among Georgia's PCPs.Methods: In 2012-2013, 656 PCPs (265 pediatricians, 143 family practice physicians [FPs], and 248 nurse practitioners/physician assistants [NP/PAs]) completed a survey regarding weight-management-related practices at well-child visits before their voluntary participation in a free training on patient-centered counseling and child weight management. Data were analyzed in 2014. Likert scales were used to quantify responses from 1 (strongly disagree or never) to 5 (strongly agree or always). Responses of 4 and 5 responses were combined to denote agreement or usual practice. Chi-squared analyses tested for independent associations between pediatricians and others. Statistical significance was determined using two-sided tests and p value < 0.05.Results: The majority of PCPs assessed fruit and vegetable intake (83%) and physical activity (78%), but pediatricians were more likely than FPs and NP/PAs to assess beverage intake (96% vs. 82-87%; p £ 0.002) and screen time (86% vs. 74-75%; p £ 0.003). Pediatricians were also more likely to counsel patients on lifestyle changes (88% vs. 71%; p < 0.001) and to track progress (50% vs. 35-39%; p < 0.05). Though all PCPs agreed that goal setting is an effective motivator (88%) and that behavior change increases with provider encouragement (85%), fewer were confident in their ability to counsel (72%).Conclusions: Our results show that many PCPS in Georgia, particularly pediatricians, have incorporated weight management counseling into their practice; however, important opportunities to strengthen these efforts by targeting known high-risk behaviors remain.

No abstract

The Web interface, similarity and distance data and R-scripts can be accessed at http://microbiome.wlu.ca/research/redundancy/.

The YF4L treatment mitigated rise in BMI in 9- to 12-year-old enrollees of after-school care. The treatment's basis in social cognitive theory was supported. Because of its positive effects and ability to utilise existing staff, large-scale application is warranted after sufficient replication.

Introduction. Given the high prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States, we aimed to investigate youth's understanding of obesity and to investigate gaps between their nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, and perceived susceptibility to obesity and its co-morbidities. Methods. A marketing firm contracted by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta facilitated a series of focus group discussions (FGD) to test potential concepts and sample ads for the development of an obesity awareness campaign. Data were collected in August and September of 2010 with both overweight and healthy weight 4th-5th grade and 7th-8th grade students. We conducted a secondary analysis of the qualitative FGD transcripts using inductive thematic coding to identify key themes related to youth reports of family eating habits (including food preparation, meal frequency, and eating environment), perceived facilitators and barriers of healthy diet, and knowledge about obesity and its complications. Results. Across focus group discussions, mixed attitudes about healthy eating, low perceived risk of being or becoming obese, and limited knowledge about the health consequences of obesity may contribute to the rising prevalence of obesity among youth in Georgia. Most youth were aware that obesity was a problem; yet most overweight youth felt that their weight was healthy and attributed overweight to genetics or slow metabolism. Conclusions. Our analysis suggests that urban youth in Georgia commonly recognize obesity as a problem, but there is less understanding of the link to lifestyle choices or the connection to future morbidities, suggesting a need for education to connect lifestyle behaviors to development of obesity.