Using Process Control to Measure Pediatric Obesity

Obesity beginning in infancy is a precursor to a life-long weight struggle and numerous co-morbidities. Thus, early diagnosis and intervention is paramount. The study objectives were to use process control to produce control charts to determine and predict obesity from birth to 5-years of age. A descriptive comparative longitudinal study using retrospective chart review of height and weight at well-child visits from birth to five years of age was conducted in a Midwestern U.S. health maintenance organization. Participants were randomly selected children (n=223) born of medically-uncomplicated gestations and pregnancies, who had no medical complications other than non-food allergies. The children were classified as either normal weight, overweight or obese at five years of age using WHO reference standards. Control charts were developed to distinguish normal, overweight and obese growth patterns using longitudinal decision analysis. From 2-12 months children categorized at 5-years as n