Recorded diagnosis of overweight/obesity in primary care is linked to obesity care performance rates

Background

Periodical BMI measurement during visits with primary care pediatricians (PCP) can be central to diagnosing, managing, and treating overweight/obesity. The aim was to evaluate among children and adolescents with similar BMI percentiles, whether recording a formal diagnosis by PCP, of overweight/obesity is associated with improved performance rates of obesity-related care.

Methods

The electronic database of the largest health maintenance organization in Israel was searched for all patients aged 2–18 years with BMI recorded at a visit with the PCP during 2017–2023. Among children with BMI percentiles consistent with overweight/obesity, performance rates of obesity care were compared between those with a recorded diagnosis of “overweight”/“obesity” placed by the PCP, and those with similar BMI percentiles without these recorded diagnoses.

Results

Among children with versus without recorded diagnoses of overweight/ obesity, rates were higher of referrals for screening measurements for obesity-related comorbidities, for dietitian and endocrine counseling, of performing subsequent BMI measurements, and of prescribing anti-obesity medications (p < 0.001 for all). Obesity-related comorbidities were more prevalent among those with than without recorded diagnoses (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Beyond BMI measurement, a recorded diagnosis of overweight/obesity by a PCP is linked to higher rates of obesity care performance and interventions, which may improve clinical outcomes.

Impact statement

BMI measurement during visits with primary care pediatricians (PCP) can be central to diagnosing, managing, and treating overweight/obesity.

We evaluated among children and adolescents with similar BMI percentiles, whether recording a formal diagnosis by PCP, of overweight/obesity is associated with improved performance rates of obesity-related care.

We found that among children with versus without recorded diagnoses of overweight/obesity, rates were higher of referrals for screening measurements for obesity-related comorbidities, for dietitian and endocrine counseling, and of prescribing anti-obesity medications.

Therefore, PCP should increase rates of recording diagnoses of overweight/obesity, to promote screening for obesity-related comorbidities, and aim to treat obesity as a chronic disease.