Factors associated with attrition in weight loss programs

Abstract Attrition in weight loss programs is a complex process, possibly influenced by several pretreatment patients’ characteristics and treatment variables, but available data reveal sometime contradictory results. Only a few pretreatment patients’ characteristics and treatment variables have been confirmed by more than one study as relevant risk factors, but recently new data of clinical utility emerged from “real world” large observational studies. Practical difficulties, unsatisfactory results, some psychological variables (e.g. lack of motivation, unrealistic weight loss expectations, overall level of stress, self-confidence in the ability to lose additional weight without professional help, and sense of abandonment from therapists), duration and type of treatment seem to play a crucial role in the patients’ decision of interrupting the weight loss treatment.