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Use of an Orientation Session May Help Decrease Attrition in a Pediatric Weight Management Program for Low-Income Minority Adolescents

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This study examined predictors of attrition from a pediatric weight-control program in a low-income minority community and the potential usefulness of an orientation session to increase length of treatment. Participants were 342 children and adolescents (M age=13.0 years old; 54% female; 89% African American; M BMI=44.2, M BMI z-score=6.0) and their caregivers who attended FitMatters, a multidisciplinary cognitive-behavioral program focused on long-term participation. Those who attended an orientation session stayed in treatment significantly longer, but attrition was not affected by demographic factors, weight status, or psychological functioning. These results indicate that an orientation session that clearly delineates the structure of a program and expected attitudinal and behavioral requirements for the families may help align expectations, as well as more effectively identify families who are ready to make concerted efforts to change the family lifestyle in support of their obese children's efforts.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors greatly appreciate the clinical skills and commitment of Beth Eliadis, L. C. S. W., Aimee Henrikson, R. D., Megan Aronson, R. D., Sandra Barlow, D. P. T., & Leslie Reynolds; the support and encouragement of Neil Hochstadt, Ph.D. & Paula Jaudes, M.D.; and the generous financial assistance from the Galter Foundation, Foundation for Health Enhancement, Northern Trust Charitable Trust, Circle of Service Foundation, Vital Community Healthcare Foundation, Frederick E. and Ida M. Hummel Foundation, and the Max Goldenberg Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Sciences Department, La Rabida Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Julie N. Germann

  2. Healthy Living Academies, Division of Aspen Education Group and Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Daniel S. Kirschenbaum

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Barry H. Rich

  4. La Rabida Children's Hospital, E. 65th St. at Lake Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, 60649, USA

    Julie N. Germann

Authors
  1. Julie N. Germann
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  2. Daniel S. Kirschenbaum
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  3. Barry H. Rich
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Correspondence to Julie N. Germann.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

FITMATTERS Weight Control Program In the FitMatters program, YOU will learn how to CONTROL your weight! YOU will CONTROL your child's WEIGHT by making HEALTHY CHOICES EVERYDAY! We will teach you:

  • How to make healthy choices EVERYDAY

  • How to choose low-fat foods

  • How to resist high-fat foods

  • How being active helps you control your weight

  • How to motivate yourself!

  • How to motivate your child!

  • How to set a good example for your child and others!

To control your weight, you will:

  • Make decisions everyday to be healthy or unhealthy

  • Decide whether to eat low-fat (healthy) or high-fat (unhealthy) foods

  • Decide whether to be active (healthy) or inactive (unhealthy)

  • Write down your foods EVERYDAY

  • Figure out the calories and fat in your food EVERYDAY

  • Write down your activities EVERYDAY

  • Work with your child to write down food and activities EVERYDAY!

  • Be a positive role model by providing healthy foods in the home

  • Be a positive role model by being more active

  • Make healthy lifestyle changes at home for the WHOLE FAMILY

  • Come to group once a week

In FitMatters, YOU Matter!

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Germann, J.N., Kirschenbaum, D.S. & Rich, B.H. Use of an Orientation Session May Help Decrease Attrition in a Pediatric Weight Management Program for Low-Income Minority Adolescents. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 13, 169–179 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-006-9015-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-006-9015-x

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