Maine Youth Overweight Collaborative
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Established in 2004, the Maine Youth Overweight Collaborative (MYOC) targets childhood overweight and obesity through improved clinical practice by physicians on children's weight. The program trains participating physicians to routinely address children's weight as part of clinical practice and equips physicians with the "5-2-1-0" slogan to teach key messages: eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, limit screen time (television and computer) to 2 hours per day, get 1 hour of physical activity per day, and avoid (0) sugar-sweetened beverages. A flip chart for office use is also provided, offering reference charts, prevention protocol, and suggested screening tests and intervention techniques.
MYOC is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
MYOC is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Goal / Mission
MYOC aims to improve clinical practice, care, and outcome regarding children's weight.
Results / Accomplishments
An experimental field trial followed 22 practice teams in Maine that volunteered to participate in the intervention. The teams were trained to counsel children and families on weight and the importance of 5-2-1-0. As a result of the intervention, providers significantly improved documentation of body mass index (BMI) and BMI percentile, from 38% to 94% and 25% to 89% respectively. Over 80% of providers and parents reported using and discussing the 5-2-1-0 topics and improvements were seen in physicians' knowledge about children's weight and identifying children at risk to becoming overweight.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Maine-Harvard Prevention Research Center, Maine Center for Public Health, Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Primary Contact
Michele Polacsek
(207) 221-4466
mpolacsek@une.edu
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/research/prc/projects/...
(207) 221-4466
mpolacsek@une.edu
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/research/prc/projects/...
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Children's Health
Health / Wellness & Lifestyle
Health / Children's Health
Health / Wellness & Lifestyle
Organization(s)
Maine-Harvard Prevention Research Center, Maine Center for Public Health, Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Source
CDC Prevention Research Center
Date of publication
Jun 2009
Date of implementation
2004
Location
Maine
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Families
Additional Audience
Physicians