Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026

A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity
Published on: August 21, 2015
Why consistent completion criterion are required in childhood weight management programmes
J Nobles1, C Griffiths2, A Pringle2
1Institute of Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Centre of Active Lifestyles, Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QS, UK; MoreLife (UK) Ltd., Churchwood Hall, Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QJ, UK.
Objectives:
Current research in the field of childhood weight management (WM) effectiveness is hampered by inconsistent terminology and criterion for WM programme completion, alongside other engagement-related concepts (e.g. adherence, dropout and attrition). Evidence reviews are not able to determine conclusive intervention effectiveness because of this issue. This study aims to quantify how various completion criterion impacts upon on: 1) the percentage of WM completers; 2) the standardised body mass index (BMI SDS) reduction; and 3) the predictors of WM completion.
Study Design:
A methodological, sensitivity analysis to examine how differential completion criterion affect programme outcomes and predictors.
Methods:
Secondary data of 2948 children were used. All children attended a MoreLife WM programme between 2009 and 2014. The completion criterion was incrementally adjusted by 10% (i.e. completer attends 10%, 20%, 30%... of sessions) for research aims 1-2, with the percentage of completers and change in BMI SDS calculated at each increment. For aim 3, the stability (strength, direction and significance) of the predictors were examined when using the completion criterion of four alternative studies against our previous study (completion ≥70% attendance).
Results:
The volume of programme completers decreased in a linear manner as the completion criterion became more stringent (i.e. 70-100% attendance). The change in BMI SDS conversely became incrementally greater. The strength, direction and significance of the predictors was highly dependent on the completion criterion; the odds ratio varied by 24.2% across a single predictor variable (delivery period). The degree of change is evidenced in the paper.
Conclusions:
Inconsistent completion criterion greatly limits the synthesis of programme effectiveness and explains some of the inconsistency in the predictors of engagement. Standardised criterion for engagement-related terminology are called for.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Guidelines for Writing Outcome
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care...
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
Obesity
Methods of Documentation V: CBE
In CBE, healthcare professionals establish predefined standards of practice that define what constitutes...
Regression Toward the Mean

