Factors Associated With Treatment Adherence to a Lifestyle Intervention Program for Children With Obesity: The Experience of a Large Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital

Abstract

Early dropout and treatment adherence are main challenges in the treatment of children with obesity. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with attrition and adherence to weight loss intervention program. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all the children who entered the program for pediatric weight loss over 5 years and retrieved demographic and clinical characteristics. Attrition and adherence were documented. Ninety-two of the 248 enrolled children (52% women, mean age 11.1 ± 3.9 years, mean body mass index 31.1 ± 7 kg/m2) dropped out (37%). Dropping out correlated with male sex, low parental education, and self-referral to the clinic ( P < .05 for all). Adherence correlated with older age and the mother’s healthy lifestyle ( P < .05 for all). Sex, parental education, and referral source may predict treatment attrition. Early recognition of children at risk of attrition may help to facilitate better care of those children.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass in Adolescents With Obesity

“…The incidence of obesity in the general population has skyrocketed during the past 20 years, and more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years (2). Childhood obesity increases the risk of obesity in older age and is strongly associated with a significant short‐ and long‐term adverse medical and psychosocial effects (3,4). The results of treatment for obesity have been generally unsatisfactory, with many studies demonstrating high dropout rates and only modest weight loss among those who maintained long follow‐up (1,5,6).…”