title: Predictors of attrition from a clinical pediatric obesity treatment program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the predictors of attrition from a clinical pediatric obesity treatment program.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 2- through 20-year-old patients first seen at the Duke University Healthy Lifestyles Program between October 2006 and December 2008. We assessed the predictors of early dropout (not returning for any follow-up visits within 1 year) and of noncompletion (not attending at least 6 visits within 1 year after entry).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample included 983 patients. In adjusted analyses, non-white non-Hispanic children were more likely to be early dropouts than white non-Hispanic children (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-2.07). Non-white non-Hispanic children were more likely to be noncompleters than white non-Hispanic (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.03-2.36) and Hispanic children (OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.34-4.90).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Race/ethnicity predicted patient attrition. Investigation into this association and program modification are needed to reduce attrition in certain racial/ethnic groups.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Diana H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Dolinsky
authors.forename: Sarah C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Truls
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Østbye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult