Brief Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Child Body Mass Index

BMi 2 is a study that tests a behavioral counseling approach to reduce obesity in children. Practitioners (Pediatricians, Nurse Practitioners) were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group continued with standard care; in group 2, each practitioner delivered four study Motivational Interviewing visits with the parent/caregiver, and in group 3 in addition to the practitioner, a registered dietitian delivered 6 Motivational Interviewing visits. The primary outcome will be the child's percentile BMI change between the baseline and 2-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes will include behavior change around fruits and vegetables, sweetened beverages and exercise. Our hypothesis is that there will be a larger decrease in BMI percentile for children in group 3 than in group 2, and that children in group 2 will have a decrease in BMI percentile when compared to group one.