Satisfaction with a weight loss program: what matters?

Satisfaction is understudied in weight loss programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between participant/program experiences and satisfaction with a weight loss intervention.

A prospective cohort design was utilized.

The study was conducted in the Minneapolis metro area.

Participants were obese employees of a managed care organization. One hundred were enrolled, and 78 had complete data available.

Treatment included telephone counseling along with a home telemonitoring scale and instructions to self-weigh daily.

Outcomes included overall program satisfaction and willingness to refer the program to others. Predictors included demographics, treatment group, participation in other programs, expected weight, general health, body mass index, diet quality, physical activity, body image, mental health, counseling, and self-weighing.

Quantitative predictor-outcome associations were examined using multiple logistic regressions. Qualitative satisfaction responses were analyzed using a general inductive approach.

Weight loss (odds ratio [OR] = 1.83, p = .008), improved diet (OR = 1.27, p = .092), increased physical activity (OR = 1.05, p = .034), and improved body image (OR = 1.38, p = .051) were independent predictors of overall satisfaction. Treatment group (OR = 14.83, p = .015) and number of counseling calls (OR = 1.49, p = .009) were predictors of willingness to refer the program. Qualitative themes indicated desire to integrate counseling on emotional issues.

Health progress explained overall satisfaction, whereas treatment characteristics explained willingness to endorse the intervention. Concentrating on these factors may improve retention. Limitations included self-reported measures.