title: Predictors of retention and BMI loss or stabilization in obese youth enrolled in a weight loss intervention.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate predictors for intervention dropout and successful reduction of metabolic syndrome risk factors among obese children enrolled in a short-term, clinic-based weight-loss intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective database review of 1080 children 8 months to 17 years. seen a pediatric obesity clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Behavior modification counseling to induce change in dietary and exercise choices.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) Pre-/post-intervention change in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and cholesterol (LDL, HDL, & total). (2) Predictors of successful decrease in BMI and clinic drop-out.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired t-tests for pre-/post-intervention comparisons. Linear regression to assess predictors of success and predictors of drop-out, with adjustment for age, gender, race, insurance status, and service area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among children evaluated, adolescent females were most likely to achieve successful decrease in BMI, insulin level, and LDL cholesterol post-intervention. Nearly 40% of children dropped out early in the intervention. Predictors of drop out included age <6 years, public insurance status, follow-up scheduled during summer months, and residence in a tertiary service area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinic-based weight loss interventions can lead to successful improvements in BMI and other metabolic parameters in pediatric populations and may be more likely among adolescent females than in younger children or males. Drop-out is common, particularly among younger children, children with public insurance and children scheduled for follow-up in the summer. Identification of these drop-out predictors in individual patients may help in targeting children likely to succeed in short-term, clinic-based, weight-loss interventions.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors: Shetarra E
authors: SE
authors: Walker
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors: Mark E
authors: ME
authors: Smolkin
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors: M Layla L
authors: ML
authors: O'Leary
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors: Susan B
authors: SB
authors: Cluett
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors: Victoria F
authors: VF
authors: Norwood
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors: Mark D
authors: MD
authors: Deboer
authors: Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, PO Box 9190 Morgantown, WV 26506-9190, USA. Electronic address:mgurka@hsc.wvu.edu.
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Gurka