An interventional study of Care team informed and Control in Pediatric Obesity, Attrition and Family Research, sponsored by Wake Forest University Health Sciences. Completed at 2 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 7 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-15.
Sponsored by Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
Attrition from pediatric weight management programs is unacceptably high, with dropout ranging from 27-73%. This project will utilize a model that predicts dropout from treatment, increasing its power and accuracy through a multi-site observational study. This will result in a powerful tool that will be used to decrease attrition from pediatric weight management, with the potential for widespread dissemination to improve treatment outcomes.
The obesity epidemic is one of the foremost threats to the health of children and adults in the U.S today. Multidisciplinary pediatric weight management programs have been deemed effective, with increased access to these programs strongly advocated. However, the effectiveness of these programs is limited by attrition, with dropout ranging from 27-73%, limiting health benefits to children and inefficiently utilizing already scarce resources. In addition to better understanding the drivers of attrition, being able to predict or forecast dropout holds great potential to improve adherence and outcomes, and modify treatment approaches to best serve the needs of families. Using a model that isolates variables associated with attrition from pediatric weight management to forecast participant dropout, this prospective, longitudinal observational study will collect comprehensive data on child and family-, obesity-, and treatment-related variables In Stage 1, investigators will install an attrition forecasting model, the Outcomes Forecasting System (OFS), in 3 pediatric weight management programs, and build its precision and calibration using a conceptual model of adherence. In Stage 2, we will establish external validation, installing the OFS in a fourth weight management program, and temporal validation through continued use of the OFS within the 3 original sites. The overall goal of this project is to increase the accuracy and power of an attrition prediction model through its installation in weight management programs and to demonstrate its internal, external, and temporal validity. A greater understanding of patient, family, and disease-specific factors that predict dropout from pediatric weight management can be utilized to prevent attrition. By identifying the most pertinent factors driving attrition across weight management sites, new avenues for treatment and prevention will be identified. This project will result in a valuable tool, available for dissemination across a diverse array of clinical programs to improve adherence, decrease costs, and improve outcomes.
1,117 studies on the registry are indexed under Pediatric Obesity; 189 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 1,216 is above the median of 103 across 862 interventional studies indexed under Pediatric Obesity.
Browse Pediatric Obesity studies →Wake Forest University Health Sciences is the lead sponsor of 1,320 studies on the registry; 199 are open to participants now.
Of its 323 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 243 (75%) have results posted.
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The parent should be the primary parent accompanying the child to treatment, and the child's primary residence must be with that parent.
- Both members of the parent-child dyad must speak either English or Spanish.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this study will be children and their parents taking part in existing pediatric weight-management programs at participating sites. In this group, members of the weight-management care team will be informed of the family's risk profile for attrition.
Other: Care team informed
Participants in this study will be children and their parents taking part in existing pediatric weight-management programs at participating sites. In this group, members of the weight-management care team will not be informed of the family's risk profile for attrition.
Other: Control
Members of the weight-management care team will be informed of the family's risk profile for attrition and may employ additional contacts to enhance chances of retention.
Members of the weight-management care team will not be aware of the family's risk profile for attrition.
Attrition from weight management
Completion of treatment is defined as completing 6 months of participation in weight-management program (attending the recommended number of visits, and still considered active after 6 months)
Time frame: 6 months
Body mass index (BMI) z score
Measured in child only
Time frame: 6 months
Percent of the 95th percentile BMI
Measured in child only
Time frame: 6 months
Body weight
Measured in parent only
Time frame: 6 months
Family Health Habits
The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) Screening tool will be completed by the parent and used to assess eating, activity, and other habits within the family and home environment. No cut points or threshold have been established for determining Healthy vs Unhealthy home environments. Researchers and practitioners should use their own discretion when interpreting scores on the FNPA.
Time frame: 6 months
General and psychosocial health (Parent)
The PROMIS-29 Profile 2.0- short forms for adults will be used to assess anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, physical function, sleep, and ability to participate in social activities.
Time frame: 6 months
General and psychosocial health (Child)
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric/Parent Proxy Profile 25- will be used to assess anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, physical function/mobility, and peer relationships. Child self-report and Parent Proxy Report.
Time frame: 6 months
Family function (Parent report)
Parents will complete the Family Assessment Device (FAD), General Functioning subscale (12 item) as a proxy for an overall picture of family function. This self-report questionnaire asks a series of questions on family function and dynamics and parents will be asked to rate their response on a 4-point Likert scale where 1=strongly agree and 4=strongly disagree.
Time frame: 6 months
Family function (Child report)
Child will complete the PROMIS Pediatric Family Relationships measure (short form). This self-report questionnaire assesses the child's perception of family interactions. Participants will be asked to respond to questions on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = never to 5 = always.
Time frame: 6 months
Household environment (Parent report)
Parents will be asked to complete the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS). The CHAOS measure is a 15-item instrument specifically designed to be administered to parents for assessing chaos in the child's home environment. This 15-item scale is measured using a 4-point Likert scale where 1= very much like your own home and 4=not at all like your own home. Positive items are reverse scored and higher total scores indicate higher levels of chaos and disruption in the home.
Time frame: 6 months
Household environment (Child report)
Children will be asked to complete the Children's Report of Parent Behavior Inventory (CRPBI). The CRPBI is a questionnaire that assesses three factors of parenting: acceptance vs. rejection, psychological control vs. autonomy, and firm vs. lax control. Responses are given on a three-point scale, indicating whether an item is like, somewhat like, or not like the parent.
Time frame: 6 months
Stress (Parent report)
Parents will complete the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The PSS is a 14-item scale that provides a global appraisal of stress by asking respondents to report whether their lives seem to be unpredictable, uncontrollable, or overloaded. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from never (0) to almost always (4). Positively worded items are reverse scored, and the ratings are summed, with higher scores indicating more perceived stress.
Time frame: 6 months
Stress (Child report)
Children will complete the PROMIS Psychological Stress Experience Short Form 4a. This form is designed to capture psychological stress reactions: feeling overwhelmed, perceived lack of control of one's life, and cognitive-perceptual disruption. Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale where 0=never and 4=always. Higher scores indicate worse psychological stress.
Time frame: 6 months
Motivation/self-efficacy
Both parents and children will complete the Importance, Confidence, and Readiness measure. A self-report questionnaire will assess motivation (importance, confidence, and readiness) and participants will be asked to respond to questions on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = not at all to 5 = very.
Time frame: 6 months
Health Literacy
Data collectors will administer the Newest Vital Sign (NVS), a health literacy tool, to parents at baseline and follow-up. The NVS is used to measure health literacy and evaluate the impact of low health literacy on a variety of health outcomes. The NVS is based on a nutrition label from an ice cream container. Parents will be given the label and then asked 6 questions about it. The number of correct responses is totaled and higher scores indicate higher levels of health literacy.
Time frame: 6 months
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Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Wake Forest University Health Sciences