Clinician adherence to childhood overweight and obesity recommendations by race/ethnicity of the child

Purpose This study describes school‐based health center ( SBHC ) providers’ adherence to obesity guidelines. Design and Methods Providers ( n = 28) were from SBHCs in six states serving children 5–12 years of age. A random sample of well‐child charts ( n = 850) were audited for body mass index percentage, blood pressure percentage, overweight/obesity diagnosis, and laboratory assessment. Results Body mass index percentage was documented on 73% of charts and blood pressure percentage on 30.5%. Providers accurately diagnosed 40% overweight and 49.3% obese children. Laboratory guidelines were followed in 80.4% of cases. Assessments differed by child's race/ethnicity ( p < .05), with most criteria having higher adherence in minority youth. Practice Implications There is a need for increased accuracy in how SBHC providers screen overweight/obese children.