Personality and the prediction of weight loss and relapse in the treatmentof obesity

Objective: This prospective study examined whether stable personality trait s, as measured by the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP), predicted ini tial weight loss or long-term maintenance in obesity patients. Method: The KSP was administered to 102 obese patients prior to entering an 8-week weig ht loss program. Patients were weighed again at the end of treatment and at 3- and 12-month follow-up. Results: The KSP did not predict initial weight loss after the 8-week program. Several of the KSP scales (Muscle Tension, Monotony Avoidance, Suspicion, and Guilt) had weak associations with 12-mon th relapse status. Weight gain at the 3-month follow-up was the strongest p redictor of;12-month relapse status (O.R. = 0.46; 95% C.I. = 0.32, 0.66). D iscussion: Personality traits, as measured by the KSP, do not appear to be important predictors of initial weight loss or 12-month relapse status. Per sonality assessment may not substantially contribute to predicting treatmen t outcome in obesity research. (C) 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.