Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Sep;128 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S86-90.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-0480I.

Perspectives on obesity programs at children's hospitals: insights from senior program administrators

Ihuoma Eneli  1 , Victoria Norwood, Sarah Hampl, Michelle Ferris, Trillium Hibbeln, Kellee Patterson, Maureen Pomietto, Sandra Hassink
Affiliations

Perspectives on obesity programs at children's hospitals: insights from senior program administrators

Ihuoma Eneli et al. Pediatrics. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: The obesity epidemic has resulted in an increasing number of children needing multidisciplinary obesity treatment. To meet this need, pediatric obesity programs have arisen, particularly in children's hospitals. In 2008, the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) convened FOCUS on a Fitter Future, a group drawn from NACHRI member institutions, to investigate the needs, barriers, and capacity-building in these programs.

Methods: Senior administrators of the 47 NACHRI member hospitals that completed an application to participate in the FOCUS group were invited to complete a Web-based survey. The survey targeted 4 key areas: (1) perceived value of the obesity program; (2) funding mechanisms; (3) administrative challenges; and (4) sustainability of the programs.

Results: Nearly three-quarters of the respondents reported that their obesity programs were integrated into their hospitals' strategic plans. Obesity programs added value to their institutions because the programs met the needs of patients and families (97%), met the needs of health care providers (91%), prevented future health problems in children (85%), and increased visibility in the community (79%). Lack of reimbursement (82%) and high operating costs (71%) were the most frequently cited challenges. Respondents most frequently identified demonstration of program effectiveness (79%) as a factor that is necessary for ensuring program sustainability.

Conclusions: Hospital administrators view tackling childhood obesity as integral to their mission to care for children. Our results serve to inform hospital clinicians and administrators as they develop and implement sustainable pediatric obesity programs.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Program outcomes to ensure sustainability identified by administrators. Source: Perspectives on Obesity Programs at Children's Hospitals Survey.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Lack of demonstrable outcomes compared with age of the program. Source: Perspectives on Obesity Programs at Children's Hospitals Survey.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Hanson N, Hinton T. Obesity services give children a healthy start: a survey of children's hospitals. Presented at: National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions annual meeting; October 14–17, 2008; Salt Lake City, UT
    1. Olmsted MG, McFarlane ES, Murphy JJ, et al. U.S. News & World Report best children's hospitals 2010 methodology. Available at: www.rti.org/pubs/abchmethod_2010.pdf Accessed August 5, 2011
    1. Barlow SE; Expert Committee. Expert Committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report. Pediatrics. 2007;120(suppl 4):S164–S192 - PubMed
    1. Tershakovec AM, Watson MH, Wenner WJ, Jr, Marx AL. Insurance reimbursement for the treatment of obesity in children. J Pediatr. 1999;134(5):573–578 - PubMed
    1. Griffith J, Gantz S, Lowry J, Dai H, Bada H. Insurance reimbursement in a university-based pediatric weight management clinic. J Natl Med Assoc. 2007;99(9):1037–1041 - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms