title: Parent reasons for nonreturn to a pediatric weight management program.
abstract: To identify parent reasons for lack of return to a weight management program, a questionnaire was sent to 85 families who attended two or fewer visits; 43 families completed the questionnaire. A total of 37% reported that the program was not what they were looking for. Specifically, they were dissatisfied with the staff or treatment focus. Other reasons for nonreturn were distance to program (23%), scheduling conflicts (21%), and lack of insurance for weight management (21%). High body mass index z score was associated with return, but age, gender, race, and medical condition were not. Matching program structure, location, and time to parent preference might improve retention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: Chris L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ohlemeyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010372:Pediatrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires