Objective
To assess the relative effectiveness of an interdisciplinary, family-centered, tertiary-care pediatric weight management program for the treatment of patients with and without cognitive disabilities (CD).
Methods
Retrospective analysis of the clinical database of a tertiary-care pediatric weight management clinic (N=453), extracting data from electronic health records including longitudinal change in weight status (BMI z-score) and frequency of attrition from treatment. Upon review of medical records, children enrolled in the treatment program were classified as having no CD (N=342) or CD (N=111).
Results
At baseline, there were no between-group differences in body mass index (BMI) or BMI z-score. After 4 months of treatment, 66% (299) of patients remained enrolled, and complete case-data was available for 219 children in final analyses. There were no statistically significant differences in attrition between the two groups (no CD vs. CD). Mean change in BMI z-score across all groups was −0.03 ± 0.13, p < 0.001. Change in BMI z-score was significantly greater among patients with cognitive disabilities (−0.07 ± 0.15) compared to those without disabilities (−0.03 ± 0.12) (difference: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.005 to 0.08, p = 0.029). These change estimates were observed after adjusting for processes potentially associated with attrition.
Conclusions
Children with CD treated in an interdisciplinary, family-centered obesity clinic had similar or better outcomes compared to peers without CD. This success may be attributable to the patient-centered nature of this behavioral weight management program, which focused on leveraging the unique strengths and capabilities of each individual patient and family.