Background: Childhood obesity has tripled in the last thirty years. Children ages 6 to 11 years of age increased in weight from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 42 million children under the age of five years old is overweight. The Institute of Medicine recommends “catalyzing and supporting the establishment of guidance on standards for evaluating the quality of evidence for which standards are lacking”. In 2005 report written by WHO, 52% of deaths were attributed to obesity and they predict by 2020 that it will increase to 60 percent. Foreground: In the United States approximately 17% or 2.5 million children aged 2 years old to 19 years old age obese. In Florida 10 to 20% of children are overweight of obese. Children who attend school are required by Florida law to have a physical exam prior to entry. Part of the physical exam requires height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) as an option. EBP Framework: Rosswurm and Larrabee’s conceptual model for translating evidence into clinical practice was used in the systems change of the capstone project. The theoretical framework to help guide the capstone project was Orem’s Self Care Deficit Theory. Method-outcomes: Several outcomes included from the capstone projected were observed. The nurse practitioners (NP) changed how they screen for obesity by measuring BMI and WC. The NPs were able to provide education on obesity risk factors to the parent or guardian by discussing the HEAT initiative. Retrospective chart evaluations were performed on all children who visited the clinic from November 21, 2011 to February 21, 2012. One hundred sixty-seven charts were audited; approximately 81% of the charts audited demonstrated the practice change. The healthcare providers discussed the risk for chronic illnesses. Findings/Results: The charts of one hundred and sixty-seven children were audited. The NPs were able demonstrate the practice change on 81% of the children examined. Out of the audited charts, forty did not demonstrate the practice change and were not included in the data collection. Conclusion: The capstone project implemented a companywide change in the clinic setting. The NPs screened for childhood obesity utilizing BMI and WC and educated family about healthy lifestyle behaviors. Waist circumference was added as a permanent measurement in the electronic medical record.
