The early identification of poor treatment outcome in a women's weight loss program

Research examining factors associated with program attrition or failure to lose weight during active treatment has yielded mixed findings. The goal of the current investigation was to confirm and extend prior research on the predictors and correlates of attrition and failure to lose weight during treatment. This investigation examined whether baseline characteristics, early weight loss, attendance, weight-related quality of life, confidence and difficulties with eating and exercise, and diet-related thoughts and feelings during the final week of treatment were associated with percentage change in body weight. Forty-four, obese, sedentary, postmenopausal women were recruited to participate in a 24-session weight loss intervention. Poor treatment outcome (i.e., percentage change in body weight) was significantly associated with several baseline characteristics including higher body mass index (BMI), greater fat and lower carbohydrate consumption, poor body image, and greater expectations for program success. Poor treatment outcome was also significantly associated with poor program attendance, unsatisfactory early weight loss, unsatisfactory improvements in weight-related quality of life, and lower self-control and self-confidence. By the end of active treatment, women with poor treatment outcome evidenced significantly higher levels of guilt and feelings of failure. The need for early identification and intervention with participants at risk for treatment failure is discussed.