Assessing preventive health counseling during pediatric well-child visits for children ages 6–12: A systematic review of duration and content
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Background
Well-child visits (WCVs) are critical for preventive counseling but often constrained by limited time and variability in delivery. This study systematically reviews U.S.-based research published between 2014 and 2025 to examine the duration and content of preventive counseling provided during WCVs for children aged 6–12 years, with a particular focus on practitioner communication related to overweight and obesity.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review of U.S.-based studies that was reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive searches were conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and CENTRAL. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, with discrepancies resolved by discussion or a third reviewer. Data was extracted using Covidence with a standardized form, and analyses were conducted in Microsoft Excel. Key variables included counseling content, duration, and delivery approach.
Result
After screening 2,588 references, seven studies met inclusion criteria. Preventive counseling addressed nutrition, weight management, physical activity, behavioral health, cardiovascular risk, and injury prevention, but coverage was inconsistent, with most studies reporting only a subset. Missed opportunities were common, particularly for cardiovascular risk, injury prevention, and follow-up counseling. No study quantified the duration of individual topics; however, one study reported that visits lasting ≥15–20 minutes were associated with higher odds of counseling on injury prevention (OR = 2.8), nutrition (OR = 3.0), and physical activity (OR = 6.5). Language-concordant care was limited, with interpreters used in only 25% of applicable visits. Two studies described engagement strategies such as motivational interviewing or structured follow-up, and only one reported transdisciplinary care. Notably, one large cohort study linked electronic health record (EHR) documentation of weight management counseling with improvements in child BMI, suggesting that documentation may reflect outcomes despite validity concerns.
Conclusion
Preventive counseling during pediatric WCV remains inconsistent, often lacking depth and Preventive counseling during pediatric WCVs remains inconsistent, often lacking depth and standardized reporting. Future research should prioritize culturally responsive approaches, team-based care models, and development of standardized metrics for counseling time and content. Addressing language barriers and integrating transdisciplinary teams are essential steps toward delivering equitable, high-quality preventive care, particularly for underserved populations.
Trial registration
Not applicable.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42025064475.
