March 2019

Nutrition Screening: Keeping Patients Healthy

Over the last three decades, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents. It is the primary health concern among parents in the U.S., topping drug abuse and smoking. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being.

The World Health Organization states: “Good nutrition – an adequate, well-balanced diet combined with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone to good health.” Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) currently has a Performance Improvement Project (PIP) that aims to improve counseling for nutrition and physical activity. The Weight Assessment and Counseling for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children/Adolescents (WCC) PIP measures the percentage of members who had weight, nutrition and physical activity counseling at their well child visit.

Additionally, well child visits must include health history, physical developmental history, mental developmental history, physical exam and anticipatory guidance. Nutrition practices and recommendations should be addressed at every visit to comply with Texas Health Steps and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^ℜ) WCC measure requirements. Health care providers can play an important role in helping patients and their families develop better nutrition habits.

Best Practices:

1. Discuss each patient’s nutrition habits in depth. Provide education to them at every visit and document your discussions.
2. Assess food security.
3. Reference and review the BCBSTX Preventive Care Guidelines and Clinical Practice Guidelines for more information on this and other important topics for treating your patients.
4. Use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s growth charts to record BMI percentile for every patient.