Table 1.
Characteristics and practices of total sample and differences by profession.
| Total Sample N = 105 | Pediatricians N = 41 (39%) | Clinical Dietitians N = 64 (61%) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region of Residence, n (%) | ||||
| Western Region | 43.0 (41.0) | 20.0 (48.8) | 23 (35.9) | .40 |
| Central Region | 37.0 (35.2) | 14.0 (34.1) | 23 (35.9) | |
| Eastern Region | 17.0 (16.2) | 6.00 (14.6) | 11 (17.2) | |
| Southern Region | 4.00 (3.80) | 0.00 (0.00) | 4.00 (6.30) | |
| Northern Region | 4.00 (3.80) | 1.00 (2.40) | 3.00 (4.70) | |
| Work Facility, n (%) | ||||
| Government hospital only | 75.0 (71.4) | 34.0 (82.9) | 41.0 (64.1) | .18 |
| Private hospital only | 8.00 (7.60) | 2.00 (4.90) | 6.00 (9.40) | |
| Private practice only | 7.00 (6.70) | 1.00 (2.40) | 6.00 (9.40) | |
| Government and/or private hospital and private practice | 15.00 (14.3) | 4.00 (9.80) | 11.00 (17.2) | |
| Type of Growth chart typically used, n (%) | ||||
| CDC growth chart | 42.0 (40.0) | 15.0 (36.6) | 27.0 (42.2) | .73 |
| WHO growth chart | 32.0 (30.5) | 12.0 (29.3) | 20.0 (31.2) | |
| Saudi growth chart | 26.0 (24.8) | 11.0 (26.8) | 15.0 (23.4) | |
| IOTF growth chart | 5.00 (4.80) | 3.00 (7.30) | 2.00 (3.10) | |
| Frequency of growth chart use for assessment during annual/regular check-up, n (%) | ||||
| Always | 55.0 (52.4) | 23.0 (56.1) | 32.0 (50.0) | .47 |
| Often | 18.0 (17.1) | 7.00 (17.1) | 11.0 (17.2) | |
| Sometimes | 26.0 (24.8) | 7.00 (17.1) | 18.0 (28.1) | |
| Rarely | 5.00 (4.80) | 3.00 (7.30) | 2.00 (3.10) | |
| Never | 1.00 (1.00) | 0.00 (0.00) | 1.00 (1.60) | |
| Frequency of discussing weight status with caregiver(s) during annual/regular check-up, n (%) | ||||
| Always | 55.0 (52.4) | 19.0 (46.3) | 36.0 (56.3) | .28 |
| Often | 27.0 (25.7) | 14.0 (34.1) | 13.0 (20.3) | |
| Sometimes | 15.0 (14.3) | 6.00 (14.6) | 9.00 (14.1) | |
| Rarely | 4.00 (3.80) | 2.00 (4.90) | 2.00 (3.10) | |
| Never | 4.00 (3.80) | 0.00 (0.00) | 4.00 (6.30) | |
| Circumstances under which the child's weight status is discussed with caregiver(s), n (%) | ||||
| Under all circumstances | 57.0 (54.3) | 22.0 (53.7) | 35.0 (54.7) | 1.00 |
| If the child was normal-weight only | 2.00 (1.90) | 1.00 (2.40) | 1.00 (1.60) | |
| If the child was underweight or obese only | 8.00 (7.60) | 3.00 (7.30) | 5.00 (7.80) | |
| If the child was underweight, overweight, or obese | 38.0 (36.2) | 15.0 (36.6) | 23.0 (35.9) | |
| Answer to growth chart interpretation question, n (%) | ||||
| Correct | 25.0 (23.8) | 7.00 (17.1) | 18.0 (28.1) | .43 |
| Incorrect | 72.0 (68.6) | 31.0 (75.6) | 42.0 (65.6) | |
| Does not know | 8.00 (7.60) | 3.00 (7.30) | 4.00 (6.30) | |
| Answer to growth chart comprehension question, n (%) | ||||
| Correct | 53.0 (50.5) | 16.0 (39.0) | 25.0 (39.1) | .50 |
| Incorrect | 44.0 (41.5) | 11.0 (26.8) | 23.0 (35.9) | |
| Does not know | 8.00 (7.60) | 14.0 (34.1) | 16.0 (25.0) | |
CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WHO, World Health Organization, IOTF. International Obesity Task Force.
Table showing counts (n) and percentages (%).
Significant differences between profession groups tested by Chi-square statistic.