Summaries of Independent Scientist (K) Awards

Barlow, Sarah

Institutions: Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Grant Title: Improving Obesity Care in Pediatric Offices
Grant Number:  K08 HS13901
Duration: 5 years (2003-2008)
Total Award: $540,000

Project Description: This project has four goals:

1. To describe the current frequency of evaluation of obesity in children 6-17 years of age by pediatricians.
2. To assess experiences and attitudes of pediatricians in diagnosing and discussing this condition, with particular attention to the interpersonal barriers to labeling a child overweight.
3. To assess experiences and attitudes of adolescents, and of parents of elementary school age children in discussing obesity with the pediatrician to learn what approaches are acceptable or alienate or motivate them.
4. To test the effect on pediatricians' self efficacy of an intervention that teaches pediatricians how to address obesity to create an alliance with patients and families and motivate them to make changes.

Career Goals: Dr. Barlow is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.  She received her M.D. from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and her M.P.H. in Clinical Effectiveness from Harvard University.  She served her Pediatric Residency at Brown University and then went on to a Research Fellow position in the Division of Health Services Research at the Health Institute, New England Medical Center Hospitals in Boston.  Later, Dr. Barlow was a Research and Clinical Fellow in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Tufts.  Her long term career goal is to identify and implement best practices in obesity for primary pediatric providers.

Progress to Date: The first phase of the study has been completed and a manuscript is under review.  For the second phase of the study, individual interviews with eight pediatricians were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed.  Analysis is complete and a manuscript is in preparation.  Recruitment for the third phase is underway. 

Future Plans: Dr. Barlow will continue with manuscript preparation/submission as well recruitment efforts for the third phase.  Further, an office-based intervention will be developed.

Highlights and Accomplishments:

• Presented keynote talk for the American Dietetic Association's Course for Certification in Childhood Obesity Treatment.
• Member of a mentoring committee, a project in the department of pediatrics to improve the process for junior faculty members to receive career development guidance.
• Provide medical oversight for pediatric patients enrolled in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network Trial.

K-Generated Publications:

Cook S, Weitzman M, Auinger P, Barlow SE. Screening and counseling behavior associated with obesity diagnosis in a national survey of ambulatory pediatric visits. Pediatrics 2005. 116:112-16.

Barlow SE, Ohlemeyer CL. Parent reasons for non-return to a pediatric weight management program. Clinical Pediatrics 2006. 45:355-60.

Barlow SE, Bobra SR, Elliott MB, et al. Recognition of childhood overweight during health supervision visits: Does BMI help pediatricians? Obesity 2007. 15(1):225-32.

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