Recorded diagnosis of overweight/obesity in primary care is linked to obesity care performance rates

Background: Periodical BMI measurement during visits with primary care pediatricians (PCP) can be central to diagnosing, managing, and treating overweight/obesity. The aim was to evaluate among children and adolescents with similar BMI percentiles, whether recording a formal diagnosis by PCP, of overweight/obesity is associated with improved performance rates of obesity-related care. Methods: The electronic database of the largest health maintenance organization in Israel was searched for all patients aged 2–18 years with BMI recorded at a visit with the PCP during 2017–2023. Among children with BMI percentiles consistent with overweight/obesity, performance rates of obesity care were compared between those with a recorded diagnosis of “overweight”/“obesity” placed by the PCP, and those with similar BMI percentiles without these recorded diagnoses. Results: Among children with versus without recorded diagnoses of overweight/ obesity, rates were higher of referrals for screening measurements for obesity-related comorbidities, for dietitian and endocrine counseling, of performing subsequent BMI measurements, and of prescribing anti-obesity medications (p < 0.001 for all). Obesity-related comorbidities were more prevalent among those with than without recorded diagnoses (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Beyond BMI measurement, a recorded diagnosis of overweight/obesity by a PCP is linked to higher rates of obesity care performance and interventions, which may improve clinical outcomes. Impact statement: BMI measurement during visits with primary care pediatricians (PCP) can be central to diagnosing, managing, and treating overweight/obesity. We evaluated among children and adolescents with similar BMI percentiles, whether recording a formal diagnosis by PCP, of overweight/obesity is associated with improved performance rates of obesity-related care. We found that among children with versus without recorded diagnoses of overweight/obesity, rates were higher of referrals for screening measurements for obesity-related comorbidities, for dietitian and endocrine counseling, and of prescribing anti-obesity medications. Therefore, PCP should increase rates of recording diagnoses of overweight/obesity, to promote screening for obesity-related comorbidities, and aim to treat obesity as a chronic disease.