711 - TEEEN® Program: A platform for medical student training in pediatric obesity

Publication Number: 2694.711

Astia Innis, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, United States; Eva J.. Farkas, Tufts University School of Medicine, Portland, ME, United States; Kailynn M. Barton, Tufts University School of Medicine, Cambridge, MA, United States; Kyle M. Monahan, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States; Ryan Veiga, Tufts University, Cambridge, MA, United States; Shirley Gonzalez, Tufts University School of Medicine, Natick, MA, United States

Background: Pediatric obesity and related comorbidities such as Type 2 diabetes continue to rise worldwide. Limited training in pediatric obesity within medical curricula hinders clinicians' ability to manage this condition effectively. The TEEEN® (Teen Empowerment, Education, Exercise, and Nutrition) program is a monthly, family-based initiative in which medical student volunteers promote healthy lifestyles in at-risk youth through social cognitive theory, play-based learning, physical activity, motivational interviewing, and cooking lessons. The program supplements medical education with experiential learning in pediatric obesity.

Objective: This study assessed knowledge acquisition and changes in confidence in counseling and motivational interviewing among medical student participants.

Design/Methods: Medical students were invited to participate as program leaders. The project included a lecture on pediatric obesity by an Obesity Medicine Specialist and at least 18 months (≥4 sessions) of TEEEN® program participation. Pre/post surveys evaluated (1) knowledge of pediatric obesity and (2) self-reported comfort in counseling families. Analyses used McNemar's test for objective knowledge and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for self-reported comfort (p < 0.05). The study was approved as exempt by the St. Elizabeth's Medical Center IRB.

Results: Eleven medical students participated between 2018-2024, averaging 13 sessions over 1.8 years. All but one question showed improvement or no change. In some cases, the lack of observed impact was likely due to high pre-intervention knowledge scores. Significant improvement was found for question 6 (p=0.023) Figure 1. The largest percent-point gains occurred for single gene defects (27%), syndromic obesity (64%), tracking into adulthood (18%), and obesity complications (18%) Figure 2. For subjective items, significant improvement was noted for questions 1-5 Figure 3. All participants reported that the program enhanced their understanding of pediatric obesity beyond clinic and classroom learning.

Conclusion(s): Comprehensive pediatric obesity education is essential to prepare future physicians for this public health challenge. Participation in the TEEEN® program was associated with improved knowledge, counseling confidence, and motivational interviewing skills, and increased comfort working with diverse families. Despite the small sample size, the TEEEN® program appears to be a promising model for strengthening undergraduate medical education in obesity. Future directions include refining content areas with limited improvement and assessing interest in working with underserved population.

Percentage Correctness by Question


Questions with Strongest Impact


Pre vs. Post Mean Answer on Subjective Questions