Abstract

BOFF, Raquel de Melo et al. Predictive factors of dropout from a program for overweight or obese adolescents: MERC study. Psicol. clin. [online]. 2020, vol.32, n.2, pp. 295-314. ISSN 0103-5665.  http://dx.doi.org/10.33208/PC1980-5438v0032n02A05.

The number of overweight or obese adolescents has increased, but the rate of dropping out in programs for this population is high. The objective of this study was to identify potential factors of impact on dropping out in a randomized clinical trial. To take part in a 12-week intervention, overweight or obese adolescents (BMI percentile ≥ 85), males and females, with mean age 17.99±1.09 were selected. Binary logistic regression was used to account for the non-completion outcome. Regressions were performed by blocks and the variables studied were demographic and anthropometric traits, metabolic markers, motivational aspects, psychological functioning, and perception of parental food practices. The drop-out rate was 48.8%. The highest chance of withdrawal was explained in the final regression model by self-efficacy to change lifestyle (OR: 0.732; IC95%: 0.581-0.921; p=0.008), by family support (OR: 0.807; IC95%: 0.685-0.950; p=0.010), by HbA1c (OR: 11.366; IC95%: 3.123-37.702; p=0.010), and by factors associated with parental food practices. It was concluded that the family and aspects related to motivation for change can be determinants of dropping-out in weight-loss programs for teenagers.

Keywords : dropping out; obesity; adolescents; clinical trial; attrition.

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