Feasibility of a Clinic-Community Partnership to Treat Childhood Obesity. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andrews, Maria; Sawyer, Carolyn; Frerichs, Leah; Skinner, Asheley Cockrell; Hoffman, Jessica; Gaskin, Kiah; Armstrong, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Clinical pediatrics. Volume 57:Number 7(2018)
• Page Start: 783
• Page End: 791
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: childhood obesity -- community health -- parks and recreation -- shared use agreements -- community partnerships; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1177/0009922817734359
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9228

Abstract

Background . "Bull City Fit" is a childhood obesity treatment partnership between Duke Children's pediatric weight management clinic and Durham Department of Parks and Recreation. Objectives . Report on feasibility and implementation, characteristics of participants, and predictors of attendance. Methods . Mixed methods study consisting of (1) a retrospective cohort analysis (n = 171) reporting demographic, attendance, and clinical data and (2) structured focus groups among stakeholders to identify implementation facilitators and barriers. Results . Higher attendance was associated with Spanish language ( P = .07), more clinic visits ( P = .03), shorter time to first attendance ( P = .06), lower child z –body mass index (BMI) at baseline ( P = .08), and lower parent BMI ( P = .02). Associations were mitigated after controlling for demographic characteristics. BMI z -score did not differ between low- and moderate/high attenders at 6 months. Family inclusion and community engagement emerged as positive themes during focus groups. Conclusions . Clinic-community partnerships engage diverse populations in fitness and nutrition activities, but no specific patient characteristics appear to predict greater attendance.