Adapting Pediatric Obesity Treatment Delivery for Low-Income Families: A Public—Private Partnership

Objective. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of delivering a pediatric weight management intervention adapted for low-income families.Academic researchers, a Medicaid health plan, a State Medicaid agency, and community pediatric providers partnered in the project. Methods. Participants were 48 families with 52 overweight/obese children aged 4 to 12 recruited from Medicaid health plan and providers’ offices. Elements of efficacious pediatric obesity interventions were modified for low literacy and implemented in person and telephonically with parents. Results. Families report ents in food shopping and preparation, and child eating and activity habits. The retention rate was 88%. Children grew significantly taller (F = 7.1; P = .012) but did not gain significant weight (F = 0.91; P = .35), with a trend toward decreased BMI ( F = 3.2; P = .08). Conclusions. The authors demonstrate the feasibility of delivering an adapted pediatric obesity intervention with low-income families. They also discuss implications for public—private partnerships among key stakeholders to address pediatric obesity in this high-risk population.