Differential effectiveness of informal group procedures in weight control

This article is the latest in a series that deals with psychological factors connected with obesity and its management in women members of the TOPS ("Take Off Pounds Sensibly") organization. Successful weight losers have MMPI profiles that differ from those of non-losers, and both show "normalization" of MMPI profiles and improvement in weight control after 16 weeks of group therapy. The present investigation attempted to assess the effectiveness of different types of nonprofessional "therapy" (the interactions of members at local TOPS chapter meetings) in helping members to achieve greater weight control. Nineteen TOPS chapter meetings were rated on 18 scales descriptive of member interaction, leader behavior, stress on nutrition, exercise, psychological factors in weight control, group and individual attitudes toward each other and toward the TOPS organization, and the like. Twelve of the 18 scales showed significant interjudge reliability, and for 10 chapters on which complete data were available (N = 108) 5 of these 12 scales significantly differentiated relatively successful from unsuccessful chapters. Those 5 were "attitudinal" or "interactional" variables such as emotional concern and enthusiasm rather than "content" or "procedural" variables such as emphasis on diet or exercise or reinforcement procedures.