Evaluation of a follow-up program for patients with morbid obesity

46 participants (22 in the KG and 24 in the IG) were recruited to take part in the study. The mean BMI at the start of rehabilitation was 44.18 (SD=5.83). Due to the high drop-out rate (59%) in the control group, no statement can be made regarding the effectiveness of the intervention on weight reduction, physical activity, dietary behavior and various psychological and medical variables at the 12-month follow-up. The target criterion of 5% weight loss was descriptively achieved 12 months after rehab by 5 of the 6 control group participants and 13 of the 19 intervention group participants. Patients in both the intervention group and the control group improved in most weight-related, medical and lifestyle-related (dietary and exercise behavior) areas 12 months after rehab. The results of the 6-month catamnesis are more meaningful due to the lower drop-out in the control group (32%) up to this point in time: at the 6-month catamnesis, the 5% weight loss criterion was achieved by 18 participants in the intervention group (90%) and by 12 participants in the control group (80%). The percentage weight loss from the initial weight (start of rehabilitation) was almost the same in both groups at 12.8% in the intervention group and 14.0% in the control group (high effect sizes SES: 1.00-1.03). Both groups also achieved comparable improvements in exercise and dietary behavior and psychological variables (depression, anxiety, quality of life) as well as most medical variables (sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, liver values). All participants in the intervention group reliably attended the monthly follow-up appointments for one year. There was a high level of acceptance for both the content of the aftercare program and the frequency of the elements used. Proof of efficacy for FAT outpatient cannot be provided in the present study due to the high drop-out rate in the CG. Various reasons for this can be discussed: It is conceivable that the control group participants gained weight again, so that they decided not to take part in the study out of shame, or that it was too time-consuming and expensive to come to the six-month follow-up appointments.