Body Mass Index Change Between Referral to and Enrollment in Pediatric Weight Management

This study describes changes in body mass index z score (BMIz) and percent of 95th percentile (P95) between referral to pediatric weight management (PWM) and initial PWM visit. We conducted a prospective cohort analysis among subjects (n = 77) aged 5 to 11 years referred to PWM and compared height and weight at time of referral versus initial PWM visit. Mean BMIz decreased by 0.05, and P95 decreased by 1.48 across all age groups (both P < .01) from time of referral to initial visit. Children 5 to 8 years old experienced a greater BMIz change than older children (-0.07 vs -0.02; P < .05). Interval BMIz change was greater for non-Hispanic White and Hispanic children compared with non-Hispanic Blacks (-0.10 vs -0.01; P < .001). There were no subgroup differences in P95. Interval BMI changes between referral and treatment approach half the effect reported by some PWM programs. Referral to PWM may motivate pretreatment lifestyle changes in some patients.