HISTORY OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND OBESITY TREATMENT OUTCOME

In this study, clinical data from 22 obese women who reported a histor y of sexual abuse were compared to clinical data from 22 obese women w ho denied a history of sexual abuse. Subjects were matched for body ma ss index (BMI), sex, and age. All subjects were enrolled in a multidis ciplinary outpatient hospital-based very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) weigh t-management program. Subjects completed a structured clinical intervi ew. the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Weight Efficacy Life- Style Questionnaire (WEL). Subjects with a history of sexual abuse los t significantly less weight and reported more episodes of nonadherence . Possible explanations for these findings include both psychiatric di stress and low weight self-efficacy. The difference between the groups in self-efficacy was greatest in situations involving negative affect or physical discomfort.