Primary prevention of weight gain for women aged 25-34: the acceptability of treatment formats

OBJECTIVE: To determine if treatment format will affect the willingness of women aged 25-34 to participate in a program for primary prevention of weight gain, DESIGN: 102 normal-weight women aged 25-34 were randomized to one of three treatment formats (group meetings, correspondence course, no-treatment control). Acceptability was evaluated by determining the proportion of women participating in their assigned format. Efficacy was assessed by determining mean weight changes at posttreatment (10 weeks) and 6-month follow-up, and the proportions of women who remained at baseline weights. RESULTS: Significantly fewer women chose to participate in a group format, compared to the correspondence course and no-treatment control (42%, 84% and 62%, respectively). However, the group format produced the largest shortterm changes in weight (-1.9 +/- 1.8 kg, -1.1 +/- 2.1 kg and -0.2 +/- 1.3 kg, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The format of prevention programs may influence the willingness of subjects to participate, as well as treatment outcome, Both format acceptability and efficacy should be considered in determining the overall effectiveness of a program.