Implementing the American Academy of Pediatrics 2023 Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines in a Pediatric Residency Clinic

Abstract

The 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines offered the first guideline for the evaluation and management of pediatric overweight and obesity. This study aimed to create a protocol for a resident physician clinic associated with the local health department that aligns with the Clinical Practice Guidelines and is effective for a low-resource clinic, focusing specifically on intensive behavioral lifestyle treatment first as that is the framework of treatment, with pharmacotherapy and surgical options being secondary. The initial goal was to enroll 100 children and trend their body mass index (BMI) to determine if the interventions were beneficial. Due to poor recruitment and attendance, the study was aborted. Barriers to implementation included lack of resources and skilled personnel in the clinic as well as lackluster resident physician participation. It is imperative to evaluate potential barriers to enrollment and execution to successfully implement important guidelines like these in the future.