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Optimism and obesity treatment outcomes
1The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|April 1, 1999
Summary
Dispositional optimism did not predict weight loss or attendance in obesity treatment. However, higher pessimism correlated with greater program attendance.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is a complex health issue requiring multifaceted treatment approaches.
- Personality traits, such as dispositional optimism, may influence treatment adherence and outcomes.
- Understanding predictors of treatment success is crucial for improving obesity management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive ability of dispositional optimism on short-term outcomes in a weight loss program.
- To determine if optimism or pessimism scores correlate with program attendance and weight loss.
Main Methods:
- 177 individuals undergoing outpatient weight loss treatment completed the revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R).
- Participants engaged in a medically monitored weight loss program.
- Program attendance (weeks) and weight loss were recorded as outcome measures.
Main Results:
- Neither the overall LOT-R score nor the optimism subscale significantly predicted program attendance or weight loss.
- A significant positive association was found between the pessimism subscale of the LOT-R and weeks of program attendance.
Conclusions:
- Dispositional optimism does not appear to be a significant predictor of short-term success in this obesity treatment cohort.
- Pessimism, however, was positively associated with greater adherence to the weight loss program.
- Further research is needed to explore the complex relationship between personality, adherence, and obesity treatment outcomes.