Prediction of Successful Weight Management from Personality and Demographic Data

Abstract

The equivocal results of research on weight-management may reflect a failure to consider subject variables. This study evaluated the utility of using personality and demographic data as predictors of weight loss, weight maintenance, and drop-outs in two weight-management programs, behavioral and behavioral with the addition of hypnosis. Although significant prediction occurred, the variables related to weight loss were different from those related to weight maintenance and were specific to the treatment employed. A different subset of variables significantly discriminated drop-outs from those who completed the treatments. Data suggest a multidimensional approach can be used to predict success effectively in a weight program, provided consideration is given to the specific treatment.