Characterizing attendance patterns at a multidisciplinary pediatric obesity clinic

Participants (N = 1050; ages 1-19) were from a multidisciplinary pediatric obesity clinic. There were no significant associations between patient characteristics and attrition from the initial visit to the first follow-up. Multiple linear regressions revealed race and the approximate distance traveled to the clinic was associated with the number of days elapsed between the initial visit and first follow-up, with a small effect size (such that Black/African American children and youth returned to the clinic later; individuals living farther away returned sooner). Days elapsed between the initial visit and first follow-up were associated with the rate of later clinic visits, with moderate effect size.