Non-dieting group interventions for overweight and obese women: what predicts non-completion and does completion improve outcomes?
OBJECTIVE
To determine factors which predict non-completion of group non-dieting interventions for overweight women, and to investigate whether completion improves outcomes.


METHODS
First, baseline predictors of non-completion were identified; then changes at 10 weeks and 12 months were compared between completers and non-completers of 10-week non-dieting interventions.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
Participants were 119 women (aged 25-65 years, BMI > or = 28 kg/m2) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Participants who attended at least eight of the ten sessions were classified as completers, and non-completers were those who attended fewer than eight sessions. Measures included BMI, blood pressure, psychological distress, lifestyle behaviours and eating self-efficacy.


RESULTS
Logistic regression analyses indicated that women were less likely to be non-completers at non-dieting group programmes if, at baseline, they were more highly educated or had healthier nutrition behaviours (controlling for education). Only healthier nutrition behaviour was negatively associated with non-completion in the final model. Twelve months after the intervention, completers showed significantly greater improvements in body weight (mean change -0.53 kg), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-6.3 and -4.1 mmHg, respectively), stress management behaviour score (+0.5) and psychotic symptoms score (-0.1) than non-completers (all P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Highly educated women already engaging in some healthier lifestyle choices were less likely to be non-completers in non-dieting group programmes. Since important treatment outcomes vary according to attendance, future trials of non-dieting interventions should report the effects of completion on outcomes.
Bradshaw
Alison J
AJ
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Horwath
Caroline C
CC
Katzer
Lisa
L
Gray
Andrew
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016896:Treatment Outcome