• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.94-102
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• 2014

Diet attrition and failure of long term treatment are very frequent in obese patients. This study aimed to identify pre-treatment variables determining dropout and to customise the characteristics of those most likely to abandon the program before treatment, thus making it possible to modify the therapy to increase compliance. A total of 146 outpatients were consecutively enrolled; 73 patients followed a prescriptive diet while 73 followed a novel brief group Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) in addition to prescriptive diet. The two interventions lasted for six months. Anthropometric, demographic, psychological parameters and feeding behaviour were assessed, the last two with the Italian instrument VCAO Ansisa; than, a semi-structured interview was performed on motivation to lose weight. To identify the baseline dropout risk factors among these parameters, univariate and multivariate logistic models were used. Comparison of the results in the two different treatments showed a higher attrition rate in CBT group, despite no statistically significant difference between the two treatment arms (P = 0.127). Dropout patients did not differ significantly from those who did not dropout with regards to sex, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), history of cycling, education, work and marriage. Regardless of weight loss, the most important factor that determines the dropout appears to be a high level of stress revealed by General Health Questionnaire-28 items (GHQ-28) score within VCAO test. The identification of hindering factors during the assessment is fundamental to reduce the dropout risk. For subjects at risk, it would be useful to dedicate a stress management program before beginning a dietary restriction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.62-73
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• 2016

Objectives: Dropout and weight regain are common problems in most obesity treatments. The purpose of this study was to review previously published study results of the predictive factors associated with dropout during weight loss treatment and weight loss maintenance after successful weight loss. Methods: Authors searched for the articles related to dropout and weight loss maintenance, published from 2007 to 2016 found on Pubmed, Scopus, RISS, and KISS. A total of 19 articles were finally selected. From the study results, unchangeable and changeable predictors were extracted, and these predictors were examined according to dropout and weight loss maintenance categories. Results: The unchangeable predictors of dropout were younger age, lower education level and female, whereas the changeable predictors of dropout were lower initial weight loss, symptoms of depression and body dissatisfaction. The strongest factor for predicting the dropout was initial weight loss. The unchangeable predictors of weight loss maintenance were old age, male and family history of obesity, whereas the changeable predictors of weight loss maintenance were regular exercise, dietary restraint, self-weighing and low depressive symptoms. Initial weight loss, depressive symptoms, body image, dietary restraint, physical activity, weight loss expectation and social support were considered to be dominant factors for weight loss treatments. Conclusions: Our review results suggest that unchangeable and changeable predictors of dropout and weight loss maintenance should be carefully examined during treatments of obesity.