Wearable devices decrease attrition among families participating in an obesity intervention at a federally qualified health center

Abstract

Background. Pediatric obesity interventions are time-intensive, reliant on parent engagement and affected by high attrition rates. We evaluated personal activity trackers (PAT) as an attrition intervention for Bodyworks (BW), a comprehensive family-based obesity intervention program in a federally qualified health center. Methods. Families enrolled in BW were recruited and randomized to either a control group (BW only) or intervention group (BW+PAT). Statistical analyses were conducted to examine differences between study arms in baseline characteristics and program completion. Results. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) families enrolled in the study. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. There was a significant difference in program completion; the intervention group had a greater percent of completion than the control group (78.3% vs 62.1%), p < .027. Conclusions. Parents receiving a PATs demonstrated higher rates of program completion compared with controls. Personal activity trackers hold potential as a method to limit attrition and increase participation in obesity intervention programs.