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Behavioral predictors of attrition in adolescents participating in a multidisciplinary obesity treatment program: EVASYON study

International Journal of Obesity volume 40, pages 84–87 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify the cognitive and behavioral predictors of dropping out and to estimate the attrition rate during different phases of an intervention program to treat overweight and obesity in adolescents. Overweight/obese adolescents (n=156, aged: 13–16 years; 71 male and 85 female subjects) were included in a multicomponent (diet, physical activity and psychological support) family-based group treatment program. At baseline and after 2 months (intensive phase) and 13 months (extensive phase) of follow-up, we measured adolescents’ cognitive and behavioral dimensions, together with the parents’ perception of their child’s behavior. Of the 156 adolescents selected, 112 completed the full program (drop-out rate of 28.2%). The risk of dropping out during the extensive phase increased by 20% for each unit increase in the adolescent’s social insecurity score (odds ratio=1.20, 95% confidence interval=1.07–1.34, P=0.002). The adolescents who had a high interoceptive awareness showed a significant decrease of 13.0% in the probability of dropping out (odds ratio=0.87, 95% confidence interval=0.77–0.99, P=0.040). Adolescents’ social insecurity was the main predictor of drop-out in a multicomponent family-group-based obesity treatment program. To reduce attrition rates in these programs, the individual’s social insecurity level needs to be reduced, whereas the family’s awareness of eating-related behavior needs adjustment.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality via the Carlos III Institute of Health (FIS Grant PI051080, PI051579, PI052369). We gratefully acknowledge the enthusiasm and commitment of all the participating adolescents and their families. The EVASYON Group also acknowledges the fieldwork staff for their efforts and dedication. The EVASYON study received the award for the best applied research project in 2009 from AESAN (Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition from the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs). LAM, JMG, CM and PDM-E conceived and designed this study; LAM, AM, CC, JMG and JMCA-S conceived and designed the original EVASYON Study; PDM-E, JS, RL-A and CM analyzed and interpreted the data; CM, GM and PDM-E carried out measurements. All authors were involved in drafting the manuscript and had final approval of the version submitted for publication. The EVASYON Study Group provided technical and logistic support during the study. Editorial assistance was by Dr Peter R Turner of Tscimed.com. The EVASYON study received the award for the best applied research project in 2009 from AESAN (Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition from the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs. The study was supported by Aragon‘s Regional Government (DGA, Diputación General de Aragón) and European Regional Development Fund.

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Author notes

  1. P De Miguel-Etayo, C Muro, J Santabárbara, R López-Antón, G Morandé, M Martín-Matillas, M C Azcona-San Julián, A Martí, C Campoy, A Marcos, L A Moreno and J M Garagorri: P De Miguel-Etayo and C Muro: These authors contributed equally to this work.

  2. The members of EVASYON Study Group are listed before references.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GENUD (Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development) Research Group, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    P De Miguel-Etayo, L A Moreno & J M Garagorri

  2. Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    P De Miguel-Etayo, C Muro & L A Moreno

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    P De Miguel-Etayo & J M Garagorri

  4. Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, Universidad de Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain

    J Santabárbara

  5. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Ministry of Science and Innovation, Madrid, Spain

    J Santabárbara

  6. Department of Psychology and Sociology, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, Universidad de Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain

    R López-Antón

  7. Unit of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain

    G Morandé

  8. Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    M Martín-Matillas

  9. PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity) Research Group, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    M Martín-Matillas

  10. Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    M C Azcona-San Julián

  11. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    M C Azcona-San Julián & A Martí

  12. Department of Food Sciences, Nutrition and Physiology, Universidad of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    A Martí

  13. CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

    A Martí

  14. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    C Campoy

  15. EURISTIKOS Centre for Excellence in Pediatric Research, Biomedical Research Centre, Health Sciences Technology Park, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    C Campoy

  16. Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Immunonutrition Research Group, Institute of Food Science Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain

    A Marcos

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  1. P De Miguel-Etayo
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  2. C Muro
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  3. J Santabárbara
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  4. R López-Antón
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  5. G Morandé
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  6. M Martín-Matillas
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  7. M C Azcona-San Julián
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  8. A Martí
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  9. C Campoy
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  10. A Marcos
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  11. L A Moreno
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  12. J M Garagorri
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on behalf of the EVASYON Study Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L A Moreno.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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De Miguel-Etayo, P., Muro, C., Santabárbara, J. et al. Behavioral predictors of attrition in adolescents participating in a multidisciplinary obesity treatment program: EVASYON study. Int J Obes 40, 84–87 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2015.183

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