Improving Attendance in Weight-Control Programs

Abstract

This field study evaluated the use of a food diary as a screen ing device for admission to a behaviorally oriented weight-reduction pro gram for its effectiveness in improving attendance. All study participants were required (1) to attend an orientation meeting where the program was described and questions were solicited and(2) to pay a $25, nonrefundable fee. During the orientation experimental-group attendees were told that a 2-week food diary was a requirement for admission to the series. It was ex pected the experimental requirement would decrease the number of less motivated enrollees, thereby reducing early termination and improving at tendance. Keeping the record was in itself expected to modify eating behavior. This would have the effect of adding 2 weeks to the program and, therefore, weight loss at the end of the program was expected to be greater. In general, the hypotheses were confirmed. A smaller proportion of those who had the food-diary requirement enrolled. A significantly larger propor tion of experimental-group women enrollees attended at least three-quarters of the sessions. The attendance records of control-group and experimental- group men were not significantly different. Mean weight loss at the end of the program was greater for those enrolled under the experimental condi tion. Achievement of a weight loss of at least 8 pounds was found to be positively related to attendance.