Caring for Kids of All Sizes: An Outpatient Quality Improvement Pilot Project to Decrease Weight Stigma

Abstract

Weight stigma is a pervasive problem affecting children’s mental and physical health. This unique pilot project sought to improve pediatric providers’ attitudes and confidence in skills around weight stigma by combining education with practice changes. Educational interventions and practice changes around the weighing process were performed at a pediatric primary care clinic across 1 year. Providers at the practice took the same self-assessment survey at baseline, before and after each intervention, at project end, and 6 months post-project completion. Results showed statistically significant increases in confidence in skills related to identifying and addressing weight stigma in clinic, both at project end and in long-term follow-up. This project may represent a model that other practices could adapt to improve weight stigma in their own clinics.