Qualitative Evaluation of Pediatric Obesity Therapeutic Education Programs

Evaluation Qualitative de Programmes d'Education Thérapeutique d'obésité pédiatrique

Obesity concerns almost the entire planet and is considered in France as a major public health issue: 17% of children are overweight and 4% obese.

Because of this situation, the public authorities have set up programs in order to overcome obesity. Accompanying the child and its family in a process of change through Educational care program seems to be the most suitable. Unfortunately, the abandonment rate of these programs is often high.

The main aim of this study is to explore, describe and understand the phenomenon of attrition in different pediatric obesity Educational care program since 2017 by collecting their experience by describing and characterizing the reasons for attrition reported by the patients included.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children who have started an educational care program between 2017 and 2022 at one of the four participating centers.
• Children whose parents or legal guardians have signed the program participation letter.
• Children who have participated in at least one group session and have stopped the educational care program early.
• Children whose parents have agreed to take part in the focus group for themselves and their child.
• Children over 12 years of age at the time of the focus group.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child who has completed the Educational Care program
• Parent/child pairs where at least 1 of the 2 refused to take part in the study