Optimism and obesity treatment outcomes

examine the ability of the personality dimension dispositional optimism to predict short-term obesity treatment outcomes (weeks of program attendance and weight loss). 177 consecutive persons seeking outpatient treatment;at a university-based weight management center completed the revised Life Orien tation Test (LOT-R; Scheier, Carver. & Bridges. 1994) and underwent a compr ehensive medically monitored weight loss program. The overall LOT-R and opt imism subscales did not correlate with either attendance or weight loss. Ho wever, the pessimism subscale was positively associated with weeks of atten dance. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.