Abstract
Data from a trial of a 26-session structured group behavioral weight loss intervention were used to examine how group attendance, weight loss, and changes in depression clustered within therapy groups. Participants were recruited via a population-based survey of female health plan members aged 40-65. The sample included 143 women attending 13 therapy groups. Average number of sessions attended was 15.9 (S.D. 7.2) and average weight loss over 12 months was 4.24 kg (S.D. 7.79 kg). In hierarchical (random effects) linear models predicting attendance and weight loss, attendance did cluster significantly within therapy groups (F= 2.83, df= 12, p= .002; ICC=.14) but weight loss (F= 0.89, df=12, p= .56; ICC= .00) and change in depressive symptoms (F= 0.25, df= 12, p= .99; ICC=.00) did not. Accounting for baseline characteristics of group participants had no significant effect on these findings. Relatively small average weight loss in this sample may have limited our ability to detect clustering of weight loss within groups. We conclude that clinicians should consider addressing the effects of drop-out on other group members and that researchers should consider the impact of clustering in analyses of data regarding group treatments.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | e283-e291 |
Journal | Obesity Research and Clinical Practice |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2010 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Supported by NIMH grant R01 MH068127 . The funder had no role in design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript. Dr. Simon had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Keywords
- Attendance
- Depression
- Group psychotherapy
- Obesity