Table 1 Intervention elements included in a brief motivational counseling (BMC) dose delivered in the primary care setting

Step 1

Mother completes Steps to Growing Up Healthy Survey in the waiting room providing information on child’s eating, activity, and health habits

5 minutes

Step 2

Clinician/nurse reviews Steps Survey with mother, affirms areas of positive health behaviors

1 minute

Step 3

Clinician/nurse focuses mother’s attention on 4 key behavioral targets, assesses interest and confidence in addressing areas where mother reports obesogenic behaviors

1 minute

Step 4

Clinician/nurse and mother agree upon behavior the mother is ready and able to change

30 seconds

Step 5

Behavioral goal is document using a written contract signed by clinician/nurse and mother

30 seconds

Step 6

Clinician/nurse provides mother with an educational handout specific to the selected goal

30 seconds

Step 7

Clinician/nurse provides monthly self-monitoring calendar for mother to track goal progress

30 seconds