Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology

Background: Adolescents with obesity are at increased risk for disordered eating behaviors (DEBs). Despite screening being recommended, identification of DEBs in pediatric weight management (PWM) remains inadequate. Methods: The aim of this quality improvement project was to increase provider docume...

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Main Authors: Roohi Y. Kharofa, Sanita L. Ley, Kristin M. Stackpole, Jessica A. Lin, Carolina M. Bejarano, Katelyn Gordon, Shelley Kirk, Melissa Burbrink, Robert M. Siegel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Obesity Pillars
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368125000427
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author Roohi Y. Kharofa
Sanita L. Ley
Kristin M. Stackpole
Jessica A. Lin
Carolina M. Bejarano
Katelyn Gordon
Shelley Kirk
Melissa Burbrink
Robert M. Siegel
author_facet Roohi Y. Kharofa
Sanita L. Ley
Kristin M. Stackpole
Jessica A. Lin
Carolina M. Bejarano
Katelyn Gordon
Shelley Kirk
Melissa Burbrink
Robert M. Siegel
author_sort Roohi Y. Kharofa
collection DOAJ
description Background: Adolescents with obesity are at increased risk for disordered eating behaviors (DEBs). Despite screening being recommended, identification of DEBs in pediatric weight management (PWM) remains inadequate. Methods: The aim of this quality improvement project was to increase provider documentation of screening for DEBs from 44 % to 80 % for new patients, age ≥12, seen at a PWM program over a 10-month period. Interventions were grouped into four PDSA cycles: 1. Provider education, 2. Screening tool implementation, 3. Systematic use of screening tool, and 4. Implementation of an electronic screener. The primary outcome was the percent of patients with documentation of DEB screening. Data was plotted on a p-chart. Standard statistical process control methods were used. Results: Mean documentation rates for DEBs increased from a baseline of 44 %–85 %, with special cause analysis demonstrating improvement. Referrals for DEBs increased from 13 % at baseline to 19 %. Conclusion: Consistently screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management is feasible. Quality improvement methodology can be utilized to help identify and act on facilitators and barriers to screening. Improved screening may lead to earlier identification of high-risk patients and prompt referral to mental health practitioners.
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issn 2667-3681
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spelling doaj-art-fe495205ff0349429ab64feb9434fa7d2025-08-20T03:35:47ZengElsevierObesity Pillars2667-36812025-12-011610019810.1016/j.obpill.2025.100198Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodologyRoohi Y. Kharofa0Sanita L. Ley1Kristin M. Stackpole2Jessica A. Lin3Carolina M. Bejarano4Katelyn Gordon5Shelley Kirk6Melissa Burbrink7Robert M. Siegel8Center for Better Health and Nutrition, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2800 Winslow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; Corresponding author. The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2800 Winslow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, USA.University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USACenter for Better Health and Nutrition, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2800 Winslow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USAUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USAUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USAUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USACenter for Better Health and Nutrition, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2800 Winslow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USACenter for Better Health and Nutrition, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2800 Winslow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, USACenter for Better Health and Nutrition, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2800 Winslow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USABackground: Adolescents with obesity are at increased risk for disordered eating behaviors (DEBs). Despite screening being recommended, identification of DEBs in pediatric weight management (PWM) remains inadequate. Methods: The aim of this quality improvement project was to increase provider documentation of screening for DEBs from 44 % to 80 % for new patients, age ≥12, seen at a PWM program over a 10-month period. Interventions were grouped into four PDSA cycles: 1. Provider education, 2. Screening tool implementation, 3. Systematic use of screening tool, and 4. Implementation of an electronic screener. The primary outcome was the percent of patients with documentation of DEB screening. Data was plotted on a p-chart. Standard statistical process control methods were used. Results: Mean documentation rates for DEBs increased from a baseline of 44 %–85 %, with special cause analysis demonstrating improvement. Referrals for DEBs increased from 13 % at baseline to 19 %. Conclusion: Consistently screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management is feasible. Quality improvement methodology can be utilized to help identify and act on facilitators and barriers to screening. Improved screening may lead to earlier identification of high-risk patients and prompt referral to mental health practitioners.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368125000427Disordered eating behaviorPediatric obesityScreeningQuality improvement
spellingShingle Roohi Y. Kharofa
Sanita L. Ley
Kristin M. Stackpole
Jessica A. Lin
Carolina M. Bejarano
Katelyn Gordon
Shelley Kirk
Melissa Burbrink
Robert M. Siegel
Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology
Obesity Pillars
Disordered eating behavior
Pediatric obesity
Screening
Quality improvement
title Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology
title_full Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology
title_fullStr Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology
title_full_unstemmed Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology
title_short Improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology
title_sort improving screening for disordered eating behaviors in pediatric weight management using quality improvement methodology
topic Disordered eating behavior
Pediatric obesity
Screening
Quality improvement
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368125000427
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