Relationship Between Perceptions of Obesity Causes and Weight Loss Expectations Among Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between the demographic characteristics of subjects with obesity seeking pharmaceutical-assisted weight loss and their weight loss expectations and perceptions of the causes of their obesity.

METHODS: A total of 225 adults with obesity completed an obesity perceptions questionnaire (OPQ), which included 4 attribution subscales: biological, psychological, environmental, and lifestyle. Relations were analyzed among OPQ subscales, subject characteristics, and self-perceived ideal 12-month weight loss.

RESULTS: Subjects desired to lose 26.4% (SD, 7.7%) of their body weight (ideal weight loss). Ideal weight loss correlated positively with the OPQ biological subscale (P = .008), body mass index (P < .001), female sex (P < .001), and past weight loss attempts (P < .001). Cronbach α was good (>.70) only for the psychological subscale. White race (P = .02), married status (P = .01), and high school or higher education (P = .02) were negatively correlated with ideal weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: When designing interventions for preventing and treating obesity, patient perceptions should be considered.