257 - Implementing a novel tool to standardize obesity patient education at a community hospital pediatric clinic

We created a flip chart containing information and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics on obesity, healthy eating, and physical activity. Consented patients with obesity between the ages of 4 and 18 years underwent an educational session using the flipchart during their routine follow-up visits. Pre-test and post-test assessments were completed by either the patient or parent depending on the patient’s age, and baseline BMI and HbA1c data were recorded. At each patient’s routine three-month follow-up visit, post-test assessments, BMI, and HbA1c were repeated. Patients were matched across all three assessments, and paired sample t-tests were run to compare scores across time. Paired-sample t-tests were also run to compare BMI and HbA1c across time.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference in scores between the pre-assessment and the post-assessment (t=-11.22, p < 0.001), with the post-assessment scores being higher than the pre-assessment scores. However, the 3-month reassessment scores were significantly lower than the post-assessment scores (t=3.44, p=0.003). HbA1c levels were higher at the follow-up visit than at baseline (t=-2.85, p=0.011). There was no significant difference in BMI levels over time.

Conclusion(s): Implementation of a new standardized tool for obesity education was associated with higher post-test assessment scores immediately after the educational session. However, this increase in scores was not maintained at follow-up. In addition, the educational session was not associated with improved BMI or HbA1c levels at follow-up. Further modifications to our approach will be needed for sustained improvement in knowledge and clinical health.