Skip to main content
Parent Binge Eating and Depressive Symptoms as Predictors of Attrition in a Family-Based Treatment for Pediatric Obesity
Abstract
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.Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.