Long‐term retention in an employer‐based, commercial weight‐loss programme. Issue 1 (24th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alexander, E.; Tseng, E.; Durkin, N.; Jerome, G. J.; Dalcin, A.; Appel, L. J.; Clark, J. M.; Gudzune, K. A.
• Is Part Of: Clinical obesity. Volume 9:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-09-24
• Subjects: Commercial weight‐loss programme -- retention; Obesity -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1111/cob.12284
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-8103

Abstract

Summary: The aim of this study is to examine factors associated with long‐term retention in a commercial weight‐loss programme. We conducted a retrospective analysis of an employer‐based, commercial programme from 2013 to 2016. Our dependent variable was 'long‐term retention', defined as continuously enrolled participants who actively engaged through coach calls at 6 and 12 months. Independent variables included baseline demographics, programme engagement and weight change. We conducted multivariate logistic regression analyses assessing for differences in long‐term retention by several factors, adjusted for employer clustering. Overall, 68.3% were retained at 6% and 45.9% at 12 months. Greater number of coach calls and website logins during the first 3 months significantly increased the odds of long‐term retention, while having chronic conditions significantly decreased the odds. Weight‐loss success (≥5% loss at 6 months) was significantly associated with increased odds of retention (12‐month: odds ratio [OR] 2.80, P < 0.001), while early weight‐loss failure (≥0% weight change at 1 month) significantly decreased odds of retention (12‐month: OR 0.66, P = 0.008). In an employer‐based, commercial weight loss programme, greater early programme engagement was associated with long‐term retention. Given these programmes' popularity and potential reach, our results could be used to develop and test strategies designed to improve retention in commercial weight‐loss programmes.