The dropout problem: Reducing attrition in obesity research

Hagen, Richard L.; Foreyt, John P.; Durham, Thomas W.

doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(76)80165-7

Cited by 65 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…A need to pay for the treatment significantly increased dropout levels (17,21,57). The existence of a monetary deposit to be refunded contingent upon attendance was associated with reduced attrition rates (67–69), whereas a monetary penalty for failure to attend or lose weight (70) was associated with increased attrition. Increased attrition was associated with individual treatment mode in one study (43) and with group treatment mode in another (71).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of dropout in weight loss interventions: a systematic review of the literature

2011

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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.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of dropout in weight loss interventions: a systematic review of the literature

2011

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“…Considering, however, that subjects made a monetary deposit prior to beginning the program, a dropout rate of 59% is somewhat high. Only 8% of those persons depositing a similar amount of money prior to their treatment program in the Hagen et al, (1976) study terminated treatment prematurely. Several differences exist between the present study and the one by Hagen which may account for this discrepancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Douglas, Ford, and Munro (1981) report dropout rates of 21% after the initial visit, 39% after three months, and 69% after twelve months in their nonbehavioral hospital obesity clinic in Scotland. While monetary deposits are sometimes useful for controlling attrition rates (e.g., Abrahms & Allen, 1974;Hagen, Foreyt, & Durham, 1976), the use of a deposit does not guarantee a low dropout rate. Furthermore, such deposits are often difficult to collect in a clinical setting.…”

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confidence: 99%

Attrition in a behavioral weight-control program: A comparison of dropouts and completers

Kolotkin¹,

Moore²

1983

Int. J. Eat. Disord.

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A major problem in weight‐reduction programs is that a significant number of individuals terminate treatment prematurely. To help alleviate some of the problems associated with high attrition, it is important to understand the ways in which treatment dropouts are different from those individuals who complete a weight‐reduction program. In the present study 271 obese persons who participated in a Health Maintenance Organization's low‐cost behavioral program were evaluated. At the end of the 12‐session program, dropouts (N = 161) and completers (N = 110) were identified. Treatment dropouts were compared to treatment completers on the following variables: initial weight, percent overweight, age, sex, occupation, education, number of previous attempts to lose weight, plus scores on the eating questionnaires. The major finding was that dropouts did not differ much from completers. The largest difference between these two groups occurred with respect to reported occupations. The completer group contained significantly more women working in the home than the dropout group. Reasons for this finding were hypothesized. To prevent high attrition rates, further research is recommended, particularly on the role of cognitive factors in weight control.

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“…Over the past few years, some techniques have been developed to increase follow‐up rates, including paying the patient with money (e.g., Davis, Estess, Simonton, & Gonda, 1977) or lottery tickets (Norman, McFarlane, Streiner, & Kneale, 1982), or having the person give a deposit that is refunded in part at each visit (e.g., Hagan, Foreyt, & Durham, 1976). Some studies have gone so far as to place ads in newspapers and hire private detectives to find subjects; through “heroic,” albeit expensive, means, one multicenter, multicountry study was able to trace all except 2 of its 1,377 subjects (EC/IC Bypass Study Group, 1985).…”

Section: Follow‐upmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Suicide Prevention Programs: A Methodological Perspective

Streiner

Adam

1987

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

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Many studies that attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment programs for suicidal patients are methodologically deficient in one or more areas. This paper outlines six criteria that should be met in designing such investigations: Patients should be randomly assigned to groups; at least 80% of the subjects who were initially enrolled should be followed up; the results should be both statistically significant and clinically important; all clinically relevant outcomes should be reported; the patients must be adequately described; and the new intervention should be feasible in other settings. It is shown that these criteria are both necessary and achievable.

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The dropout problem: Reducing attrition in obesity research

Cited by 65 publications

References 12 publications

Predictors of dropout in weight loss interventions: a systematic review of the literature

Predictors of dropout in weight loss interventions: a systematic review of the literature

Attrition in a behavioral weight-control program: A comparison of dropouts and completers

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Suicide Prevention Programs: A Methodological Perspective

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