The McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program, part of the
South Carolina Family Medicine Residency Training Programs, is taking a
comprehensive approach to preventing childhood obesity through a McLeod
Foundation grant awarded in the amount of $5,275 for the proposal “Empowering
Positive Parenting in Early Childhood.”
The proposal was submitted by residents Tareq Haidary, M.D.; Joseph
Hoyle, M.D.; and faculty member Benjamin Elder, M.D. The project focuses on the implementation of
a proven early childhood literacy practice-based intervention, Reach Out and Read, along with
additional innovative components that improve the delivery of clinical
preventive services, such as the prevention of dental carries.
Reach out and Read
serves families with children ages six months through five years who come for
well child visits. Practitioners promote
reading as a safe, engaging activity that promotes a positive learning environment. Using age-appropriate books, primary care
physicians can promote realistic expectations for parent-child
interactions. The program was endorsed
in May by the American Academy of Family Medicine, and has been endorsed for
several years by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In summary, the approach involves three steps
during well child visits:
- Give each child a developmentally and culturally appropriate book as part of each well visit.
- Provide appropriate anticipatory guidance about how best to enjoy the book with the child.
- Emphasize that reading aloud stimulates language development.
The residents chose this program to be the focus of obesity
prevention efforts at the Family Medicine Center for the next five years, with
a vision for adding additional components and supporting program alumni and
regional family medicine practices to implement the program. The residents developed an acronym for the
program, inspired by the title, REACH: Read
out loud with child Every day, daily
physical Activity, choose Clinical preventive services, and
discuss the five Healthy
developmental domains for school preparedness.
Dr. Hoyle explains, “preventing childhood obesity requires a
comprehensive, collaborative approach with parents and community
organizations. We see this challenge as
an opportunity for family physicians to provide leadership on a leading
community health indicator. In my
opinion, our faculty’s stability and commitment to the care of children will be
the keys to the long-term success of this approach.” The program will be overseen by a leadership
team that includes representatives from practitioners, staff, administration,
community literacy organizations, and families served. The Family Medicine Residency Program is
already exploring additional sites for program dissemination and welcomes anyone
interested in joining.
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