Pediatric Overweight
Project Overview and Indicators

For the past three decades, pediatric overweight has been increasing at an alarming rate. Arkansas is leading the way in developing state initiatives to measure this growing problem and educate health care providers and consumers about healthy lifestyles. The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care is working with the following organizations and associations to help health care providers meet the rising demand for evaluation and treatment services for pediatric overweight. Our goal is to give more young Arkansans a healthier and more fulfilling future.

• Department of Human Services Division of Medical Services
• Arkansas Children's Hospital Fitness Clinic
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Arkansas Center for Healthcare Improvement
• Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians

The project's indicators are:

• Measure patient's BMI annually and document in clinical record.
• Use growth charts for children 2 to 20 years old to trend BMI.
• Identify patients at risk by virtue of family history, birth weight, or socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, or environmental factors.