Success Rates of Individuals Attending A Weight Loss Program and Predicting the Factors Affecting Weight Loss

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to predict the factors effective on weight loss under a dietition’s control as well as to differenciate the individuals who maintained their target weight from the individuals who did not maintain their target weight on the basis of attendance to diet and reasons for ending the diet. Subjects and methods: Two hundred individuals who applied a dietitian for a weight loss diet participated in this study. All participants lost a minimum weight of 5 kg and droped the diet at least one year after the date of participation. A questionnaire was applied, containing items related to dietery information, weight loss, weight loss maintenance period (WLMP), the difficulties encountered during and after the diet, causes of these difficulties and the participants’ anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results: The number of WLMP ≤ 1 year individuals quitting diet due to demotivation (27.4%) was higher than WLMP > 1 year individuals (12.4%) (p <0.05). The percentage of WLMP > 1 year individuals who applied a weight protection program after the diet (59%), was higher than WLMP ≤ 1 year individuals (30.5%) (p <0.05). WLMP > 1 year individuals who changed their acquired eating habits completely in the diet period (41.9%) were higher than WLMP ≤ 1 year individuals(19.0%). Conclusion: Weight maintenance is should be provided in individuals who apply weight loss diets, by providing the motivation to perpetuate and changing completely the lifestyle and nutritional habits.