Patient Attendance and Outcomes in a Structured Weight Management Program

ObjectivesTo determine service utilization and identify patient characteristics associated with service utilization in youth with obesity presenting for structured weight management, and to explore weight-related outcomes associated with service utilization.Study designIn this retrospective study conducted between January 2008 and December 2013, we examined variables associated with the care of 2089 patients aged 2-18 years presenting for an initial visit to 2 tertiary care-based, multidisciplinary structured weight management clinics.ResultsOnly 53% of patients returned for a second visit, 29% returned for a third visit, and virtually none (0.5%) completed the recommended 6 visits within 6 months. Patients who were Hispanic, government-insured, and whose parent/s spoke Spanish were more likely to return to clinic. Of those patients who returned for at least a second visit, 70% demonstrated a reduction in or maintenance of body mass index z-score.ConclusionsPatient retention remains a significant barrier to effective pediatric weight management. Structured weight management programs should increase their efforts to engage patients and families at the initial visit and identify and address barriers to follow up.