Self-efficacy, attendance, and weight loss in obesity treatment

Addict Behav. 1997 Jul-Aug;22(4):567-70. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4603(96)00068-8.

Abstract

Self-efficacy is an important predictor of treatment outcomes for a variety of addictive behaviors. However, little research is available regarding its predictive value in obesity treatment. We assessed the predictive validity of the 20-item version of the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL) in a consecutive sample of 109 obese adults seeking outpatient treatment at a university-based weight-management center. Although the WEL demonstrated a stable factor structure and sound psychometric properties, it failed to correlate with either program attendance or weight loss. We concluded that self-efficacy judgments (as measured by the WEL) are not predictive of short-term obesity treatment outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / psychology
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Patient Compliance* / psychology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychometrics / standards*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self-Assessment*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss