Recruitment and retention of families interested in a parent-based pediatric obesity intervention

Recruitment and retention in pediatric obesity treatment remains challenging, especially for groups at highest risk of this condition, including African Americans. However, most investigations examine attrition during intervention or follow-up. Little is known about those who refuse enrollment, or drop out at baseline. Thus, the trajectory of recruitment, enrollment, and retention, especially at these early stages, is not well understood, limiting knowledge of treatment access. This study examined enrollment in a pediatric weight management intervention. We provide demographic information on nested consort flow groups. We compared non-overlapping interest/enrollment groups to examine differences between those who progressed to the next consort flow group and those who did not; specifically the four groups examined were: (1) eligible at screening, did not attend baseline (n(children) = 261), (2) attended baseline, did not enroll (n(children) = 46), (3) enrolled, did not complete posttesting (n(children) = 81), and (4) completed posttesting (n(children) = 284). Of enrolled families, >70% were African American; >78% completed posttesting. No differences emerged across groups on sex, ethnicity, or race (ps > .05). Attrition was unrelated to initial child BMI. In this trial, the goal of enrolling diverse parents of children with obesity was achieved, and most enrollees completed treatment.