Case study of a transtheoretical case management approach to addressing childhood obesity

Abstract

Childhood obesity is an increasing health concern that is strongly associated with chronic health problems persisting into adulthood. Obesity in childhood is resistant to interventions that involve only recommendations to decrease caloric intake and to increase caloric expenditure. The challenge with this approach to childhood obesity is twofold: It is neither theoretically based nor does it consider the children's or their parent's perceptions of their health problems. Of significance, this traditional approach also ignores the transition along the stages of behavioral change. Case management has proven to be successful in managing various chronic health problems in both adults and children. This case study will present a new intervention model to treat childhood obesity based on the transtheoretical framework utilizing case management in a primary care setting.