Evaluation of evidence-based practice guideline for pediatric obesity

Introduction: Pediatric obesity prevention and management is a high priority for pediatric providers. Pediatric providers use evidence-based clinical guidelines to integrate the best current recommendations into practice. The contention of this inquiry is that while practice guidelines and obesity programs address the "who, what, when, where, and why" of pediatric obesity interventions, the guidelines fail to address the "how" of the process that bolsters adherence and attacks the high attrition rates of obesity management. Objective: The objective of this practice inquiry is to evaluate Prevention and Treatment for Pediatric Obesity: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline Based on Expert Opinion using the Appraisal for Guidelines and Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument and to investigate techniques to improve adherence to the lifestyle changes recommended in the guideline, by synthesizing the current research for using motivational interviewing with obese pediatric patients, and propose a plan for translating the intervention to measurable outcomes. Methods: Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline Based on Expert Opinion was evaluated using the AGREE II instrument. The current recommendations are detailed based on the findings of a review of the literature. Using the RE-AIM framework, recommendations are made to determine the translation potential for the use of motivational interviewing to improve adherence to lifestyle recommendations, thus improving the current clinical practice guideline. Results: Review of the Endocrine Society's CPG using the AGREE II instrument yielded an overall guideline quality rating of 6/7. The guideline is recommended for use with modifications to improve applicability. Integration of MI to the practice guideline and the use of the RE-AIM framework to improve uptake of the intervention is proposed to address the weaknesses in applicability revealed in the guideline evaluation. Conclusion: The CPG reviewed in this PI provides quality recommendations for the treatment and prevention of pediatric obesity. By integrating MI techniques and using the RE-AIM framework, pediatric providers may be able to bolster adherence to the guideline recommendations and ultimately improve clinical outcomes and impede the rising pediatric obesity rates. Future research should include evaluation of MI interventions in the pediatric clinical setting.