Behavioral treatment of obesity. Limitations and results with the chronically obese

Abstract

Baseline and follow-up data were gathered from a population of 144 female, chronically obese patients, most of whom were experiencing medical complications associated with obesity. Treatment results were disappointing in comparison with results of similar programs. Difference in patient population groups was a possible explanation for this phenomenon. Covariant analyses of demographic and psychosocial variables failed to yield any clear predictors of weight loss; biological factors may be important to treatment outcome for some overweight patients.