Purpose

Parent motivation is related to successful treatment outcome among children enrolled in obesity treatment. However, the impact of child weight loss motivation on treatment outcome has not been investigated. The current study evaluated weight loss motives among treatment-seeking, overweight children, and their relationship to treatment outcome.

Methods

The current study is a secondary analysis of a primary study examining a parent-only and parent + child childhood obesity treatment. Study participants included 77 children (aged 8-12, 58 % female). Assessments were completed at baseline, post-treatment, and at 6-months post-treatment. Children completed standardized height and weight procedures. In addition, they completed a checklist of reasons children may be motivated to lose weight. Motives were divided into two scales reflecting personal and social/familial reasons to lose weight. Regression analyses were used to calculate associations between the number of weight loss motives endorsed and treatment completion, sessions attended, and child BMI.

Results

A greater number of social/familial motives were significantly predictive of session attendance, treatment completion, and a lower child BMI at the post-treatment assessment.

Conclusions

Children who are motivated to lose weight because of family/social influences may be more highly engaged in treatment and lose more weight, as compared to children who are less motivated by family and social reasons.

Background

Attrition is a significant problem in family-based treatment (FBT) for childhood obesity. Despite this, very few studies have examined factors associated with attrition. The current study examined parent symptoms of depression and binge eating as predictors of attrition in FBT.

Methods

Participants included 77 parents of overweight children enrolled in FBT for childhood obesity. Data were collected at baseline and post-treatment. Binary logistic regression was used to assess associations between parent binge eating symptoms, depressive symptoms, and attrition.

Results

Results showed that parent binge eating symptoms (p=0.02), but not depressive symptoms (p=0.07), were significantly associated with attrition, after controlling for parent BMI, treatment group assignment, and family income.

Conclusions

Higher reported parent binge eating symptoms were significantly related to attrition in FBT. Assessment of parent binge eating may be important in identifying families at risk for dropping out of FBT. Further, FBT may need to be adapted for families with parents who have a high level of psychopathology.