Predictors of Early Attrition and Successful Weight Loss in Patients Attending An Obesity Management Program

Lifestyle weight management programs often experience high attrition rates. Existing literature mainly consists of research populations. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors associated with early attrition and successful weight loss (WL) in a publically funded obesity management program. Factors influencing early attrition (<6 months) and successful WL (≥5%) were analyzed. Longer treatment time was related to greater absolute WL, but a lower rate of WL over time regardless of sex. Younger age and having certain health conditions were associated with both earlier attrition and lower WL success regardless of sex. Males with a lower education had greater early attrition compared to males with a higher education. Females who smoked had greater attrition compared to females that were non-smokers. Females of ethnic minorities had lower WL compared to White females. Because treatment time is related to WL, providing alternative treatment options to improve treatment adherence may improve weight loss success.