INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the excepted goals of subjects starting participation in a three-month complex weight loss program.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group involved 80 subjects starting participation in a three-month complex group weight loss program (age 41.8 ± 11.9 years, BMI 35.7 ± 5.3 kg/m²). Weight and height were measured at the beginning of the program, and BMI was calculated. Duration of obesity was established based on anamnesis. All patients were asked to assess their current body shape (a) and the body shape they expected at the end of the program (b) in a BFPQ scale (adapted by Stunkard). The excepted goals were calculated based on the differences between figures a and b.
RESULTS: Realistic goals (£ 10% weight loss) were expected by 7.5% of subjects (age 50.0 ± 17.0 years, BMI 35.8 ± 5.8 kg/m², duration of obesity 14.4 ± 10.7 years, duration of obesity to age ratio 0.3 ± 0.2), moderately-realistic goals (15-20% weight loss) by 52.5% of subjects (age 42.4 ± 11.0 years, BMI 35.6 ± 5.9 kg/m², duration of obesity 13.0 ± 7.4 years, duration of obesity to age ratio 0.3 ± 0.2), and unrealistic goals (≥ 20%) by 40.0% of subjects (age 39.4 ± 11.5 years, BMI 35.7 ± 4.7 kg/m², duration of obesity 12.0 ± 9.1 years, duration of obesity to age ratio 0.3 ± 0.3). The BMI, duration of obesity, and duration of obesity to age ratio were similar in these subgroups, whereas subjects with realistic goals were significantly older when compared to the both remaining subgroups.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients starting participation in a three-month complex group weight loss program had unrealistic goals; it seems that the aims materialize with age regardless of duration of obesity.
Endocrinology, Obesity and Metabolic Disorders 2010, vol. 6, No 4, 167-170