Program and Family Predictors of Retention and Weight Loss Among Black Youth in a Pediatric Weight Management Program

Gaps in knowledge about youth in pediatric weight management programs (PWMPs) include family and program factors related to retention and youth weight loss, specifically for Black families. The objective of this study was to identify family and program factors associated with retention and weight loss among Black youth in a PWMP.

A total of 49 parent-child (ages 6-15) dyads who identified as Black at a PWMP had youth weight/height recorded through 12 months, program factors (total encounters and early weight loss), retention (at 6 months and total days retained), and completed assessments of family factors (family functioning, weekly family dinners) at their initial visit. Logistic regression, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and repeated-measure ANOVA were conducted to assess associations between family and program factors with retention at 6-months and weight loss at 6 and 12-months.

A total of 42.9% of dyads were retained; each additional unique provider encounter resulted in 1.78 times greater odds of being retained. Youth who lost weight within 3 months were retained in the PWMP for more days compared to children who did not (p < 0.001). Dyads who participated in family dinners >4 days per week were more likely to be retained (p < 0.027). Youth in families with healthy family functioning were more likely to have a lower BMI at 6 months (p = 0.030).

Black youth who experienced earlier weight loss, more provider encounters, and family dinners most of the week were more likely to be retained. Youth in families with healthy family functioning were more likely to have lower BMI at 6 months.