title: Depression, smoking, activity level, and health status: pretreatment predictors of attrition in obesity treatment.
abstract: Consistent predictors of attrition in obesity treatment have not been identified. This study examined whether pretreatment psychological and health behavior variables would predict attrition from a 26 week clinical multidisciplinary VLCD and behavior therapy program. Higher levels of depression, current smoking, being sedentary, and having nontreated high blood pressure were associated with treatment attrition. Thus, a biopsychosocial assessment which evaluates medical and psychiatric status may help clinicians to identify individuals at high risk for attrition.
authors.affiliation: Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niaura
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome