Multidisciplinary intervention in obese adolescents: predictors of dropout

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2015 Jul-Sep;13(3):388-94. doi: 10.1590/S1679-45082015AO3339.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To identify biological and psychosocial factors associated with dropout in a multidisciplinary behavioral intervention in obese adolescents.

Methods: A total of 183 adolescents (15.4±1.6 years), pubertal (Tanner stage 3 or 4) and obese (34.7±4.0kg/m2), were enrolled in a 12-week behavioral intervention, which included clinical consultations (monthly), nutritional and psychological counseling (once a week), and supervised aerobic training (three times/week). The studied variables were weight, height, body mass index, body composition (skinfold), cardiorespiratory fitness (direct gas analysis), blood lipids and self-reported symptoms of eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia and binge eating), anxiety, depression, body image dissatisfaction and quality of life. Statistical analysis included binary logistic regression and independent t-tests.

Results: Of the adolescents, 73.7% adhered to the program. The greatest chance for dropout was observed among adolescents older than 15 years (odds ratio of 0.40; 95%CI: 0.15-0.98), with more anorexia symptoms (odds ratio of 0.35; 95%CI: 0.14-0.86) and hypercholesterolemia (odds ratio of 0.40; 95%CI: 0.16-0.91) at baseline.

Conclusion: Older adolescents, with more symptoms of eating disorders and total cholesterol have less chance to adhere to multidisciplinary treatments.

Objetivo: Identificar os fatores biológicos e psicossociais associados à desistência de uma intervenção multidisciplinar comportamental em adolescentes obesos.

Métodos: Foram selecionados para participar das 12 semanas de intervenção 183 adolescentes (15,4±1,6 anos), púberes (Tanner 3 ou 4) e obesos (34,7±4,0 kg/m2). A intervenção incluiu consultas clínicas (mensal), aconselhamento nutricional e psicológico (uma vez/semana), e treinamento aeróbio supervisionado (três vezes/semana). As variáveis estudadas foram peso, altura, índice de massa corporal, composição corporal (dobras cutâneas), aptidão cardiorrespiratória (análise direta de gases), perfil lipídico e sintomas autorrelatados de transtornos alimentares (bulimia, anorexia e compulsão alimentar), ansiedade, depressão, insatisfação com a imagem corporal e qualidade de vida. A análise estatística incluiu regressão logística binária e teste t de Student independente.

Resultados: Aderiram ao programa 73,7% dos adolescentes. A maior chance de desistência foi observada entre aqueles com mais de 15 anos (odds ratio de 0,40; IC95%: 0,15-0,98), com mais sintomas de anorexia (odds ratio de 0,35; IC95%: 0,14-0,86) e com hipercolesterolemia (odds ratio de 0,40; IC95%: 0,16-0,91) no início do estudo.

Conclusão: Adolescentes mais velhos, com mais sintomas de transtornos alimentares e de níveis de colesterol total, têm menor chance de aderir a tratamentos multidisciplinares.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Age Factors
  • Anorexia / psychology
  • Body Mass Index
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Male
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Obesity / psychology
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Patient Compliance / psychology
  • Patient Dropouts / psychology*
  • Psychotherapy, Group
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Skinfold Thickness
  • Surveys and Questionnaires