Anticipated rate of weight loss during dieting

Two hundred and thirty-five females anxious to lose weight were asked to state their anticipated rate of weight loss each week or each month after the first few weeks of dieting. They were divided into four groups of 50 subjects, one group enrolling in a slimming club for the first time, one group already attending the same slimming organisation and two groups on first attendance at one of two hospital obesity clinics. The remaining group comprised 35 subjects re-enrolling in a slimming club. Only 27 per cent of those interviewed on their first attendance had a realistic concept of the anticipated rate of weight loss (AROWL) while 60 per cent of those re-enrolling and 90 per cent of those currently attending a slimming club were realistic in their expectations. The younger subjects were significantly more obese and the least realistic concepts of the AROWL were held by those subjects most in excess of their ideal weight. This study highlights the frequency with which unrealistic concepts of the AROWL are held and suggests the need to reinforce realistic concepts of weight loss in the obese.