title: Initial engagement and attrition in a national weight management program: demographic and health predictors.
abstract: Inconsistent attendance and participant withdrawal limit the effectiveness of weight control programs, but little is known about predictors of initial and ongoing engagement. The purpose of this study was to identify these predictors with respect to the Veterans Affairs MOVE!® program, using medical record data. Logistic regression models were used to predict initial and ongoing engagement (n = 39,862 and 1985, respectively). Those who initially engaged in MOVE!® (vs. did not) were more likely to have high BMIs, to be female, live closer to the medical center, and receive health benefits from the VA; they also were less likely to use tobacco (ps < 0.02). Older veterans were more likely to continue to engage (p < 0.001), with trends toward continued engagement for those with (vs. without) benefits and higher BMIs (ps < 0.10). Findings highlight characteristics that may inform program improvements that promote ongoing engagement and prevent dropouts in a weight management programs.
authors.affiliation: VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Ave., Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA. Jennifer.Funderburk@va.gov.|Department of Clinical Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA. Jennifer.Funderburk@va.gov.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. Jennifer.Funderburk@va.gov.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Funderburk
authors.affiliation: VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Ave., Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.|Department of Psychology, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arigo
authors.affiliation: VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Ave., Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kenneson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010358:Patient Participation; D014728:Veterans; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Engagement; Health care; Obesity; Weight management