Funding outcome

Over the past 20 years, many clinics in Canada were created to help manage obesity in children. These clinics bring together health professionals from different fields. However, because of challenges such as busy schedules, limited time, and low motivation, about half of children and their families leave these programs early. This early dropout makes it harder for children to improve their health and leads to wasted healthcare resources. Children who stay in treatment longer often see better health outcomes, so it is important to find new ways to help families remain in care. Our study examines whether Family Navigation (FN) is a practical and acceptable way to reduce dropout in pediatric obesity care. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, trained navigators support children and their families by helping them manage practical, emotional, and system-related challenges that make care difficult to access. Navigators offer extra support, such as parking passes and motivational communication, in addition to the care provided by clinic teams. Our study includes 108 children aged 6 to 17 from obesity clinics in Calgary, AB and Mississauga, ON. Half of the participants receive FN along with usual care for 12 months, while the other half receives usual care only. We are collecting both numerical data (such as body measurements, quality of life, and relationships between families, navigators, and clinicians) and interview data at the start of the study, and again at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Results of this study will help us learn whether families find FN helpful and acceptable. If FN helps families stay involved in care, children may attend more appointments and improve their health. The results will help plan a larger study to test how well FN reduces dropout and supports families living with obesity.