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Characteristics of Participant Dropouts in a 1‐year Randomized Controlled Trial of Weight Gain Prevention
Author(s) -
Metzgar Catherine J,
NickolsRichardson Sharon M
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.796.6
Subject(s) - medicine , overweight , waist , body mass index , randomized controlled trial , weight gain , weight loss , obesity , physical therapy , psychological intervention , body fat percentage , anthropometry , demography , body weight , psychiatry , sociology
By identifying characteristics that may increase the risk for participant dropout, interventions can be tailored to promote participant retention. Baseline characteristics of 81 premenopausal women (mean±SD age: 31.4±8.1 y, body weight (BW): 76.1±19.0 kg, body mass index (BMI): 27.9±6.8 kg/m 2 ) enrolled in a 1‐year weight gain prevention randomized controlled trial were examined to identify factors related to participant dropout. Independent t‐tests were used to compare baseline age, anthropometrics and demographics in women who completed the trial in its entirety (i.e., completers; n=48) with women who withdrew or were excluded before the end of the intervention (i.e., dropouts; n=33). Significance was set at P<0.05. Dropouts were significantly younger (P<0.005) and had lower BW (P<0.04) and BMI (P<0.01) when compared to study completers. Similarly, waist circumference (P<0.05), hip circumference (P<0.01), fat mass (P<0.03) and body fat percentage (P<0.02) were all lower in dropouts. Income level was significantly lower (P<0.003) in dropouts, while ethnicity and education level were not significantly different between dropouts and completers (both P>0.05). As this trial emphasized weight gain prevention rather than weight loss, older participants with overweight and obesity who had previously attempted and failed at long‐term weight loss may have been more motivated by the maintenance approach included in this intervention. The importance of weight gain prevention may not have resonated with younger participants with normal BMI, therefore, future weight gain prevention trials should include specific strategies and messaging that appeal to this population in order to increase retention. Support or Funding Information Funded by an Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station/National Institute of Food and Agriculture research grant (#1001251).