DEPRESSION, SMOKING, ACTIVITY LEVEL, AND HEALTH-STATUS - PRETREATMENTPREDICTORS OF ATTRITION IN OBESITY TREATMENT

Consistent predictors of attrition in obesity treatment have not been identified. This study examined whether pretreatment psychological and health behavior variables would predict attrition from a 26 week clin ical multidisciplinary VLCD and behavior therapy program. Higher level s of depression, current smoking, being sedentary, and having nontreat ed high blood pressure were associated with treatment attrition. Thus, a biopsychosocial assessment which evaluates medical and psychiatric status may help clinicians to identify individuals at high risk for at trition.