An exploration of factors influencing attrition from a pediatric weight management intervention

Abstract

Pediatric obesity is a public health concern. High attrition from treatment negatively impacts outcomes, particularly among lower income and ethnic minority populations. NOURISH+ is a parent-exclusive childhood weight management treatment targeting at-risk children aged 5-11 years who are overweight or obese. The current study sought to enhance understanding of attrition among at-risk families. NOURISH+ participants completed a survey assessing barriers to treatment adherence. Among low-income, racially diverse families, practical barriers are pressing concerns. The NOURISH+ parent-exclusive approach, although empirically supported, appears inconsistent with caregivers' expectations. Minimizing practical barriers and enhancing child engagement might reduce attrition and improve outcomes.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01361243.

Keywords: Attrition; Parent; Pediatric obesity; Weight management.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article

Copyright © 2016 Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

NOURISH+ Recruitment and Enrollment Flow Chart