Attendance and completion of weight loss intervention is associated with better weight loss outcomes; however, attrition is neither consistently reported nor comprehensively explored in the weight loss literature. A systematic review was undertaken to identify factors associated with attrition in weight loss interventions involving overweight or obese (body mass index ≥ 25) adults (18-65 years). Sixty-one studies published before May 2011 and addressing factors associated with weight loss programme attrition were identified. Conclusions were limited by the large number of variables explored, the small number of studies exploring each variable, the large variety of study settings and methodologies used, the inconsistent reporting of results, and the conflicting findings across studies. A consistent set of predictors has not yet been identified. The majority of studies relied on pre-treatment routinely collected data rather than variables selected because of their theoretical and/or empirical relationship with attrition. However, psychological and behavioural patient factors and processes associated with the treatment were more commonly associated with attrition than patient background characteristics. Future research should consider theoretically grounded social-psychological and behavioural processes as potential predictors of dropout. Identification of patients at risk of dropout will contribute to both the effectiveness and the cost-effectiveness of weight loss interventions.

Aim: This paper explored the relationship between maternal controlling feeding behaviours and child eating and weight in preschool-aged children. Methods: Ninety mothers of 2-to 5-year-old children (M = 3.48, SD = 0.84, 54.4% males) completed self-report measures assessing maternal controlling feeding behaviours, child eating patterns and weight. Results: Univariate analyses indicated that child food neophobia was associated with authoritarian feeding (r = 0.29), pressure to eat (r = 0.28) and restriction (r = 0.34). Child food pickiness was associated with authoritarian feeding (r = 0.35). No association was found between maternal feeding strategies and child weight. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that authoritarian feeding, restriction and pressure to eat were significantly associated with the variance in child food neophobia (adjusted R 2 = 12.6%) and pickiness (adjusted R 2 = 12.0%). Conclusions:The findings suggest that maternal control in feeding is associated with undesirable eating patterns in preschool-aged children. Interventions targeting reduction in maternal controlling feeding may promote desirable eating patterns in preschool-aged children.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract