title: Weight loss expectations in obese patients seeking treatment at medical centers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate weight loss expectations (expected 1-year BMI loss, dream BMI, and maximum acceptable BMI) in obese patients seeking treatment and to examine whether expectations differ by sex, weight, diet and weight history, age, psychological factors, and primary motivations for weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  1891 obese patients seeking treatment in 25 Italian medical centers (1473 women; age, 44.7 +/- 11.0 years; BMI, 38.2 +/- 6.5 kg/m2) were evaluated. Diet and weight history, weight loss expectations, and primary motivation for seeking treatment (health or improving appearance) were systematically recorded. Psychiatric distress, binge eating, and body image dissatisfaction were tested by self-administered questionnaires (Symptom CheckList-90, Binge Eating Scale, and Body Uneasiness Test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 1011 cases (53.4%), 1-year expected BMI loss was > or = 9 kg/m2, dream BMI was 26.0 +/- 3.4 kg/m2 (corresponding to a 32% loss), and maximum acceptable BMI was 29.3 +/- 4.4 kg/m2 (-23%). BMI and age were the strongest predictors of weight goals. Weight loss necessary to reach the desired targets was largely in excess of weight loss observed during previous dieting. Psychiatric distress, body dissatisfaction, and binge eating did not predict weight loss expectations. The primary motivation for weight loss was concern for future or present health; women seeking treatment to improve appearance had a lower grade of obesity, were younger, and had first attempted weight loss at a younger age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese Italian patients had unrealistic weight loss expectations. There were significant disparities between patients' perceptions and physicians' weight loss recommendations of desirable treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Rehabilitation, Villa Garda Hospital, Garda, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dalle Grave
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Calugi
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magri
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cuzzolaro
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dall'aglio
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lucchin
authors.forename: Nazario
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Melchionda
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marchesini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010465:Perception; D015431:Weight Loss