Introduction of a conversation starter tool to improve health habits in young children.

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity rates in the United States continue to climb. Providers must identify feasible interventions to improve health habits to prevent and treat obesity in children.

Methods: Parents (n = 91) of four-to eight-year-old children were recruited and surveyed regarding their child's current health habits and perception of their child's weight status.

Improving Postpartum Depression Screening in Pediatric Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project.

Background: Despite recommendations for standardized postpartum depression screening in primary care pediatrics, few pediatric healthcare providers are adequately screening mothers for postpartum depression.

Aims: To improve standardized screening for postpartum depression in the pediatric primary care setting. Secondary aims were to determine if infant and family characteristics (gender of infant, feeding method, insurance type, income level, ethnicity of infant) were associated with positive postpartum depression screening.

Implementing family-based childhood obesity interventions.

Family-based interventions have been effective in managing childhood obesity, and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are positioned to provide obesity interventions in both patient and family primary care settings. The purpose of this article is to guide the PNP in implementing family-based childhood obesity interventions, including identification, diagnostic evaluation, and management.