Predictors and outcomes of adolescent bariatric support group attendance

Abstract

Background Attending support groups connects adults undergoing bariatric surgery to peers and may improve weight loss efficacy. Predictors and outcomes of support group attendance of adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery are unknown. Objective The objective of this cohort study was to determine the rate, predictors, and outcomes of support group attendance in a free-standing adolescent bariatric program. Setting Academic children’s hospital in the U.S. Methods Charts of 68 consecutive adolescents who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass or vertical sleeve gastrectomy were retrospectively reviewed, recording demographic and anthropometric variables, support group, and clinic visit attendance. Prospectively collected vitamin adherence data were also analyzed. Univariate analyses evaluated characteristics and multivariate analyses evaluated predictors of support group attendance, clinic visit, and vitamin adherence. Results Of the 68 subjects, one third attended 1–3 support sessions, one third attended ≥4, and one third were non-attenders. Greater distance from clinical center (p=0.01) and caregiver bariatric history (p=0.05) were associated with decreased attendance. Only high pre-operative body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.01) and caregiver bariatric history (p < 0.01) were independently associated with decreased attendance. Increased attendance was associated with higher 6 (p=0.03) and 12 month (p<0.01) clinic visit attendance but not with multi-vitamin adherence (p=0.33). Conclusions Caregiver bariatric history and higher pre-operative BMI were associated with decreasing attendance at an adolescent bariatric support group program. This highlights a need to encourage attendance in these patients since adolescent attendance at support group sessions was positively associated with greater adherence to scheduled clinic visits post-operatively which may positively influence long-term outcomes.

Predictors and correlates of follow-up visit adherence among adolescents receiving laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

“…Adherence behaviors are important to the overall clinical management of individuals receiving bariatric surgery, as missing routine appointments results in suboptimal care, and failure to follow guidelines for diet or vitamin supplementation affects weight loss (6) and risk for malnutrition (9, 10) . However, extant research on bariatric surgery (4, 6, 8, 11–16) includes a range of different adherence behaviors (e.g., attendance at postoperative appointments or support groups, following recommendations for diet and physical activity or multivitamin therapy), which limits comparisons across studies. Additional research is needed to better understand modifiable factors affecting adherence.…”

Predictors of Preoperative Program Non-Completion in Adolescents Referred for Bariatric Surgery

“…The risks and benefits of caregiver bariatric surgery on adolescent patient bariatric surgery outcomes are unknown, although this is an anticipated area of investigation within the Teen-LABS consortium and associated ancillaries [30]. While the present findings do not indicate that caregiver(s) history of bariatric surgery contributes to adolescents reaching or withdrawing from surgery, there is some evidence to suggest that it can contribute to less engagement in postoperative program opportunities [31] and should be a continued area of study.…”

Partnering Support Interventions with Bariatric Surgery to Maximize Health Outcomes in Adolescents with Severe Obesity

“…A total of 36 studies were found that met the search criteria. The majority of studies were reviews ( n = 16, Table ), 8 were observational, 7 were case‐control studies, 3 were quasi‐experimental/case‐control studies, and 2 were RCTs (1 was a methods paper only) (Table ). No studies that tested the combination of pharmacotherapy interventions with MBS were found.…”

“…The search revealed seven longitudinal cohort design studies that included some combination of lifestyle interventions and MBS. None of the studies included pharmacotherapy support for MBS.…”