title: Weight Loss Expectations and Attrition in Treatment-Seeking Obese Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The analysis of the relation between weight loss goals and attrition in the treatment of obesity has produced conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of weight loss goals on attrition in a cohort of obese women seeking treatment at 8 Italian medical centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  634 women with obesity, consecutively enrolled in weight loss programmes, were included in the study. Weight loss goals were evaluated with the Goals and Relative Weights Questionnaire (GRWQ), reporting a sequence of unrealistic ('dream' and 'happy') and more realistic ('acceptable' and 'disappointing') weight loss goals. Attrition was assessed at 12 months on the basis of patients' medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 12 months, 205/634 patients (32.3%) had interrupted their programme and were lost to follow-up. After adjustment for age, baseline weight, education and employment status, attrition was significantly associated with higher percent acceptable and disappointing weight loss targets, not with dream and happy weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 'real world' clinical settings, only realistic expectations might favour attrition whenever too challenging, whereas unrealistic weight loss goals have no effect. Future studies should assess the effect of interventions aimed at coping with too challenging weight goals on attrition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Eating and Weight Disorders, Villa Garda Hospital, Garda (VR), Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dalle Grave
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Calugi
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Compare
authors.forename: Marwan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Ghoch
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Petroni
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomasi
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzali
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marchesini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*