Researchers from Unit for Nutrition Research, Landspítali University Hospital and University of Iceland; and Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland; have presented an article titled: “Predictors of Dropping Out in a Weight Loss Intervention Trial.” 1
The researchers from Unit for Reykjavík, Iceland; have concluded:
- “The use of antidepressants and heavy habitual soft drink consumption might be considered as exclusion criteria when preparing weight loss intervention trials including dietary restrictions.”
The researchers from Unit for Reykjavík, Iceland; have also noted:
- “Dropouts in intervention trials can affect the statistical power of the study.”
- “The aim was to assess predictors of dropping out in a weight loss trial.”
- “Each subject (n = 114) was instructed to follow a diet, energy-restricted by 30% from estimated energy expenditure (approximately 600 kcal/day), for 8 consecutive weeks.”
- “A detailed meal plan as well as recipe booklets and instructions were provided by a nutritionist.”
- “Antidepressants were used by 19.2% of the dropouts, compared with 1.8% of the completers (p < 0.001).”
- “Additionally, those dropping out consumed 35% more soft drinks in total and 44% more diet (artificially sweetened) soft drinks at baseline (habitual intake) than those completing the trial (p = 0.012).”
- “Dropouts (18.6%) were on average 1.9 years younger than those completing the study, but the difference was of borderline significance (p = 0.085).”
(1) Gunnarsdóttir I, Sigurgeirsdóttir GK, Thórsdóttir I: Predictors of Dropping Out in a Weight Loss Intervention Trial. Ann Nutr Metab. 2010 Mar 11;56(3):212-216; (Article in Press)
