Natalie Anderson Doctoral Project Proposal Defense, Friday, October 10, 2025 @ 3:00 pm Central Time
October 10 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Chloe Gaines
TITLE: IMPROVING OBESITY MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY CARE THROUGH PROVIDER EDUCATION
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Childhood obesity is a leading pediatric health concern in the United States, affecting over 14.7 million children and linked to long-term risks such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Despite evidence-based guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), adherence remains inconsistent in primary care due to time constraints, limited training, and provider discomfort addressing weight. Purpose: This quality improvement project aims to increase provider adherence to AAP obesity management guidelines by targeting provider implementation of guideline-based laboratory screening and nutrition referrals through a structured provider education session and the integration of a clinical decision support prompt into the electronic health record (EHR). Methods: A quasi-experimental, single-group, pre-post intervention design will be used at a privately owned pediatric clinic in Northwest Texas. Data will be collected via chart review and abstracted in aggregate form by the clinic’s office manager and provided to the investigator. To assess provider adherence, the medical records of pediatric patients aged 2 to 18 years with a BMI at or above the 95th percentile will be included from two three-month periods, pre- and post-intervention. An estimated 100 to 120 records will be reviewed at each time point. Provider knowledge will also be evaluated using pre- and post-education tests. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests will be used to assess changes in provider practice, specifically the proportion of obese pediatric patients who receive both AAP-recommended laboratory testing and a nutrition referral. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval will be obtained prior to implementation, and all ethical standards for data security and provider anonymity will be followed throughout the project. This intervention seeks to demonstrate that provider-focused education combined with real-time EHR support can significantly improve adherence to pediatric obesity guidelines in primary care.
Location Online:
Zoom Link:
https://pvpanther.zoom.us/j/96866754132?pwd=AmeCw5OHjzeaE0jWvCtXEY2Ii6Of0P.1
Meeting ID: 968 6675 4132
Passcode: 731685
