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. 2021 Dec;24(17):5686-5703.
doi: 10.1017/S1368980021001129. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

Recruiting and retaining young adults: what can we learn from behavioural interventions targeting nutrition, physical activity and/or obesity? A systematic review of the literature

Megan C Whatnall  1   2 , Melinda J Hutchesson  1   2 , Thomas Sharkey  1   2 , Rebecca L Haslam  1   2 , Aaron Bezzina  1   2 , Clare E Collins  1   2 , Flora Tzelepis  3   4   5 , Lee M Ashton  1   2
Affiliations

Recruiting and retaining young adults: what can we learn from behavioural interventions targeting nutrition, physical activity and/or obesity? A systematic review of the literature

Megan C Whatnall et al. Public Health Nutr. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To describe strategies used to recruit and retain young adults in nutrition, physical activity and/or obesity intervention studies, and quantify the success and efficiency of these strategies.

Design: A systematic review was conducted. The search included six electronic databases to identify randomised controlled trials (RCT) published up to 6 December 2019 that evaluated nutrition, physical activity and/or obesity interventions in young adults (17-35 years). Recruitment was considered successful if the pre-determined sample size goal was met. Retention was considered acceptable if ≥80 % retained for ≤6-month follow-up or ≥70 % for >6-month follow-up.

Results: From 21 582 manuscripts identified, 107 RCT were included. Universities were the most common recruitment setting used in eighty-four studies (79 %). Less than half (46 %) of the studies provided sufficient information to evaluate whether individual recruitment strategies met sample size goals, with 77 % successfully achieving recruitment targets. Reporting for retention was slightly better with 69 % of studies providing sufficient information to determine whether individual retention strategies achieved adequate retention rates. Of these, 65 % had adequate retention.

Conclusions: This review highlights poor reporting of recruitment and retention information across trials. Findings may not be applicable outside a university setting. Guidance on how to improve reporting practices to optimise recruitment and retention strategies within young adults could assist researchers in improving outcomes.

Keywords: Nutrition; Obesity; Physical activity; Recruitment; Retention; Systematic review; Young adults.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram of included studies
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Success* of recruitment strategies used across forty-nine studies of nutrition, physical activity and/or obesity interventions in young adults. *Recruitment was considered successful if the pre-determined goal sample size was met
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Recruitment success* (%) by number of recruitment strategies used. *Recruitment was considered successful if the pre-determined goal sample size was met
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Adequacy* of retention strategies used across seventy-four studies of nutrition, physical activity and/or obesity interventions in young adults. *Retention was considered adequate if retention was ≥80% for ≤6-month follow-up or ≥70% for >6-month follow-up
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