Outcome attribution in a very low calorie diet program

Abstract

Examined attributions for self-perceived failure or success among participants in a short- term very low calorie diet (VLCD) weight loss program. At 6 months follow-up, each subject was asked to attribute the outcome to internal factors, external factors, or to treatment pro- gram. Results showed that perceived failures and successes attributed about 50% of the out- come to internal factors. Perceived successes attributed outcome more to the treatment program than did perceived failures. Subjects also perceived the general success rates of VLCD treatments to be higher than those reported in the literature.