Patient motivation and predicting outcome in a hospital obesity clinic
Douglas, J.G.; Ford, M.J.; Munro, J.F.
International Journal of Obesity 5(1): 33-38
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0307-0565 PMID: 7216604 Document Number: 169133
A group of 132 obese women in a hospital obesity clinic were studied to determine the relationship of patient motivation and anticipated rate of weight loss to the outcome of treatment. Information was collected at the first clinic visit on physical measurements, previous treatments, physical and psychological reasons for wanting to lose weight, and family history of obesity and diabetes mellitus. Records of outcome showed that 21% defaulted after the first clinic visit, and only 31% attended for 1 year or more. Of these, 66% were taking anti-obesity agents. The mean weight loss of those who did lose weight was 6.7 kg. There was no demonstrable relationship between reason for and degree of weight loss motivation and actual weight loss or length of attendance. These results suggest that obesity is best dealt with on a community basis, and through prevention, rather than through specialty clinics.