Loss to follow-up in a randomized controlled trial study for pediatric weight management (EPOC). Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warschburger, Petra; Kröller, Katja
• Is Part Of: BMC pediatrics. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Attrition -- Obesity -- Child -- Predictors -- Weight management trial; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1186/s12887-016-0727-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2431

Abstract

Abstract Background Attrition is a serious problem in intervention studies. The current study analyzed the attrition rate during follow-up in a randomized controlled pediatric weight management program (EPOC study) within a tertiary care setting. Methods Five hundred twenty-three parents and their 7–13-year-old children with obesity participated in the randomized controlled intervention trial. Follow-up data were assessed 6 and 12 months after the end of treatment. Attrition was defined as providing no objective weight data. Demographic and psychological baseline characteristics were used to predict attrition at 6- and 12-month follow-up using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Objective weight data were available for 49.6 (67.0) % of the children 6 (12) months after the end of treatment. Completers and non-completers at the 6- and 12-month follow-up differed in the amount of weight loss during their inpatient stay, their initial BMI-SDS, educational level of the parents, and child's quality of life and well-being. Additionally, completers supported their child more than non-completers, and at the 12-month follow-up, families with a more structured eating environment were less likely to drop out. On a multivariate level, only educational background and structure of the eating environment remained significant. Conclusions The minor differences between the completers and the non-completers suggest that our retention strategies were successful. Further research should focus on prevention of attrition in families with a lower educational background. Trial registration Current Controlled TrialsISRCTN24655766 . Registered 06 September 2008, updated 16 May 2012.