87. Follow Up Trends Among Adolescent Patients in a Weight Management Program

Abstract Objectives To assess the demographic predictors of attrition and attendance among Latino children and their families participating in a family-based, culturally-adapted pediatric weight management program. Methods Latino children, ages 5–9 with a BMI-for-age ≥85th percentile were recruited from local schools and clinics serving low-income populations. Families met weekly as a group for ∼120 minutes for 10 consecutive weeks. The VALÉ program was designed to address nutrition, physical activity, and health behavior modification. The current analysis included data from four cohorts that participated in the VALÉ program between 2017 and 2019. Demographic variables were collected from families at baseline. Family attendance was recorded at each session and categorized (as ≤80% and >80% of sessions attended). Attrition was defined the % of participants who returned for follow-up immediately post program completion. Differences in demographics between attendance and attrition groups were compared using X2 or T-Test and an alpha of 0.05 was used as the cutoff for significance. Results Participants (n = 88) had an average age of 7.6 years, 66% were male, and the majority of parents were born in Central America (78% of mothers, 74% of fathers). Average household size was 5.7 with 88% reported being <185% of the federal poverty level. Overall, 18% attended >80% of all sessions and 61% returned for follow-up. Both maternal and paternal age were significantly higher for those completed >80% of sessions (P = 0.12 and 0.17, respectively) and returned for follow-up (P < 0.01 and P = 0.05, respectively). The proportion of mothers who were employed was higher among those who completed >80% of sessions (69%) compared with those attending fewer sessions (39%, P = 0.03). Total number of children in the household was lower among those who returned for follow-up (P = 0.04). Conclusions Among a Latino sample of children and their families participating in a pediatric weight management program, maternal and paternal age, number of children in the household, and maternal employment were important predictors of either program attendance and/or attrition. Funding Sources George Mason University, Potomac Health Foundation.

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Results of a referral-based weight management program targeted toward children aged 2 to 6 years with obesity or severe obesity

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-019-1886-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eric E. Wickel ◽

Lamiaa Ali ◽

Hollie Hawkins ◽

Eden Hemming

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Weight Management ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Severe Obesity ◽

Management Program ◽

Weight Management Program ◽

Hispanic Children ◽

Study Child ◽

Using Data

Abstract Background Relatively little is known about weight management programs targeted toward young children with obesity. Using data from the Early Lifestyles Intervention program, we report outcomes from a referral-based, multi-disciplinary weight management program targeted toward children aged 2 to 6 years with obesity or severe obesity. Methods Data from 55 children (4.5 ± 1.3 years) medically referred to the ELI program were examined in this non-randomized investigation. At baseline, a nurse collected demographic, anthropometric and clinical measures from the study child, while parents/guardians completed questionnaires regarding their child’s nutrition and activity behavior. Follow-up sessions were conducted to discuss healthy behavior strategies and collect anthropometrics from the study child. Body mass index (BMI) values were reported relative to the 95th BMI percentile (%BMIp95) and children were classified as obese (≥ 100% of 95th BMI percentile) or severely obese (≥ 120% of 95th BMI). Questionnaire data were analyzed to report group-level differences and to determine whether individual items predicted changes in %BMIp95 from baseline to follow-up. Regression models were used to examine the change in %BMIp95 by sex, ethnicity, and baseline body size. Results Certain behaviors were more frequent among non-Hispanic children compared to Hispanic children (demanding certain foods), whereas other behaviors were more frequent among children with severe obesity compared to children with obesity (requesting a second helping, getting own snack and sneaking food). Greater reductions in the study child’s %BMIp95 were found among parents indicating their child requests a second helping, is a faster eater, or complains of being hungry. Among the combined sample, %BMIp95 significantly decreased from baseline to final follow-up. On average, the decrease in %BMIp95 did not differ by sex, ethnicity, or baseline body size. Conclusions Modest improvements in body size were observed. Additional studies are needed to identify best practices for pediatric interventions seeking weight management.

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Behaviors Predictive of Weight Loss Maintenance: Six-Month Follow up of an Online Weight Management Program

Obesity Open Access ◽

10.16966/2380-5528.124 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Thompson S

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Weight Management ◽

Weight Loss Maintenance ◽

Management Program ◽

Weight Management Program

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4225Effectiveness of a behavioural incentive scheme linked to goal achievement in overweight children: a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz745.0132 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

J Redfern ◽

G Enright ◽

K Hyun ◽

S Raadsma ◽

M Allman-Farinell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Management ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Management Program ◽

Incentive Scheme ◽

Weight Management Program ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is becoming an increasing concern worldwide and management is vital for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Studies in adults have shown that provision of incentives may facilitate behaviour change but there are no similar studies targeting weight management in children. Purpose To determine effectiveness of a structured goal setting incentive scheme, delivered within a community program, on health outcomes (with a focus on cardiovascular risk factors) in overweight children at 6 and 18 months. Methods Single-blind, multicenter, cluster randomized controlled trial with 10 weeks, 6 and 18 month follow-up. Eligible sites had to be delivering the standard children's weight management program and enrol at least 10 children per term. Eligible children had to be 7–13 years and have a body mass index (BMI) >85th percentile. Recruited sites were randomized to (i) standard weight management program plus incentive scheme (intervention) or (ii) standard program alone (control). The intervention group participated in the standard program plus received milestone based incentives for achievement of goals. Incentives were practical, and healthy in nature such as fun vegetable slicers, sports store vouchers, sport equipment and family zoo passes. Primary outcome was mean BMIz score at 18 months. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric (body weight, waist circumference), behavioural (physical activity, nutrition) and self-esteem (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale) measures. Results A total of 37 sites (33 urban and 4 regional) and 512 children were recruited. There were no significant differences between the control and intervention groups at any follow-up time-points. There were significantly more participants in the intervention than control group who completed 10 sessions of the weight management program (23% v 13%, p=0.015). Compared to baseline, at 18 month follow-up, the total cohort achieved significant reductions in the mean BMIz score (1.7 v 1.0, p<0.001), median screen time (16.5 v 15.8 hours/week p=0.0414), median number of fast food meals per week (1.0 v 0.7, p<0.001) and significant increases in physical activity (6.0 v 10.0 hours/week, p<0.001) and self-esteem score (20.7 v 22.0, p<0.002). Conclusions The incentive scheme, delivered in addition to a standard community weight management program, did not have a significant impact on health outcomes in overweight children. However, the intervention increased program attendance and overall cohort achieved sustained improvements in clinical and lifestyle outcomes. The results of this study suggest that extrinsic rewards may not provide added value to current community weight management programs however, participation in such programs is likely to support primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Acknowledgement/Funding This work was supported by National Heart Foundation (Australia) pilot funding as part of JR's Future Leader Fellowship, in-kind contributions from th

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