The effect of including a significant other in behavioral treatment of obesity

Heath, Olga Jean (1979) The effect of including a significant other in behavioral treatment of obesity. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The effectiveness of including a Significant Other person was evaluated for group treatment of obesity. The first 22 clients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, the last eight clients comprised a waiting-list Control group. For the Significant Other treatment group clients attended the eight weekly meetings with their partners who were instructed to participate actively, were trained in reinforcement techniques and advised on ways to assist the weight-reducing partner. The Alone treatment group followed the same program except that their partners did not attend group meetings. The waiting-list clients were offered the treatment program at the six-month follow-up point. The treatment program followed was Stuart's three-pronged approach” to weight loss. Dependent measures were weight lost, percentage overweight lost and change in skinfold measure. Measures were taken at pre-treatment, at the end of treatment, and at follow-ups six and ten months after the termination of treatment. The treatment groups lost more weight than the Control clients. There was no support for the hypothesis that inclusion of a Significant Other facilitates treatment of obesity. These findings are discussed with reference to observations about group and marital interactions.

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