Evaluation of the 215 Go Program

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

8-4-2009

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Advisor: James J. Diamond, MD Family and Community Medicine Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson Medical College

Abstract

There are approximately 9 million U.S children over the age of six who are obese. Obesity is one of the top five risk conditions in developed nations. During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. The goal of this study is to evaluate the 215 GO Program, a comprehensive program addressing childhood obesity. Data from Health Centers 5 and 6 were used for the analysis. Children who are enrolled in the program met the following criteria: BMI> 85th percentile or rapid weight gain and age 2 through 19. Between the two Health Centers, there were 484 patients who were referred to the program and had an initial visit. 206 patients had multiple 215 GO visits, 46 had heights and weights recorded at another visit at the Health Center at least 6 months after their initial 215 GO visit. The remaining 232 did not return for additional visits at the 215 GO or at the clinic. Comparison of the BMI Z score between patients with one visit with those that had multiple visits was assessed. Among those with one visit, 52% improved or stabilized their BMI percentile and 48% did not; for those with multiple visits, 73% improved or stabilized and 27% did not. There is a significant difference between the two groups. Based on these observations, it was determined that the patients who had multiple visits had a significant decrease in BMI percentile when compared to the patients who had a single visit. Therefore it is more critical to focus on improving retention rates. These findings will help improve and further develop the program and possibly expand the 215 GO Program to other Health Centers in the U.S.

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