Variables predictive of adherence to diet and physical activity recommendations in the treatment of obesity and overweight, in a group of Spanish subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the factors that could predict a successful completion of a weight loss program.


METHODS
A single-centered, cross-sectional, prospective study conducted over 4 y.


METHODS
Data were obtained on 1018 overweight subjects (788 women, 230 men) aged 14.8-76.3 y (mean 38.4) and body mass index (BMI) of 31.7 (range 25.03-57.1) seeking help to lose weight at a specialist obesity clinic.


METHODS
A program involving a hypocaloric, Mediterranean diet was prescribed plus recommendations for free-time exercise and day-to-day activity. Follow-up was weekly until the desired weight loss was achieved ('successful completion') or the patient dropped-out of the program ('failure'). Cox's regression analysis was used to evaluate success and the variables included were compliance with the program, age, gender, initial BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease, previous dietary programs, cause of obesity, age at which excessive weight was first noted and parental obesity.


RESULTS
Factors predictive of completion were: gender (males responded better), previous dietary programs (predictive of dropout), initial BMI (higher index, lower completion), and age (younger age, poorer outcome). There was an interaction between parental obesity and offspring childhood obesity. Absence of parental obesity and adult-onset obesity had a higher probability of program completion.


CONCLUSIONS
In a standard weight reduction program the recommendations of dietary restriction and moderate exercise seems less effective for women, persons with high BMI, younger age groups and those who have had other attempts at weight loss. Poorest outcomes applied to those subjects with childhood obesity and who had obese parents.
Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
I
I
Bautista-Castaño
J
J
Molina-Cabrillana
J A
JA
Montoya-Alonso
L
L
Serra-Majem
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss