In it for the long haul: characteristics of early and late drop out in a self-management intervention for weight control

Although drop out rates in weight management interventions are high, little is known about characteristics of people dropping out at different time points during such interventions. This study aims to examine characteristics of early and late drop outs during a self-management intervention aimed at weight control, hypothesizing that changes in psychological characteristics during active intervention would differentiate drop outs from completers. Participants’ (N = 167) socio-demographics and personality traits were measured via self-report at baseline, as well as their behavioral and psychological outcomes before and during the intervention. No baseline differences were found between early drop outs and initial completers. As expected, late drop outs were characterized by a different change pattern in self-efficacy during the initial phase compared to completers. Few differences in other characteristics were found. Changes in self-efficacy during active intervention are relevant for understanding drop out in weight management interventions.