Impact of self ‐efficacy on risk aversion in the context of surgical weight loss decision scenarios

This study conducted an experiment set within an online survey assessing risk aversion towards bariatric surgery as a weight loss intervention. The survey asked about hypothetical weight loss scenarios for bariatric surgery among a national probability‐based sample of US adults aged 18 years and older. Participants answered their willingness to achieve different weight loss amounts within the context of bariatric surgery in varying risk scenarios. The analysis utilized a repeated‐measures linear mixed model. A three‐way interaction demonstrated that participants were more willing to take risks under ideal weight loss conditions even with the risk of death, pa rticularly when considering self‐efficacy (𝛽 = 1.20,P = .05). Margin projections showed that those with lower self‐efficacy were more likely to take risks overall. This trend was significant for those with a body mass index of 30 and above in scenarios presenting one's ideal weight as the outcome of bariatric surgery. Adding a measure of self‐ efficacy within patient assessments could identify those eligible patients who are most likely to adopt bariatric surgery, particularly among those who may have negative post‐surgical outcomes due to low self‐efficacy levels. Addressing self‐efficacy by way of providing support resources in ta ndem with candidacy consultations may enhance quality of life and post‐surgical outcomes.
Source: Clinical Obesity - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research