The eating disorder inventory as a predictor of compliance in a behavioral weight-loss program

Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) is a significant and meaningful predictor of adherence in a dietary program employing a very low-calorie diet. This study used multiple linear regression and discriminant analysis to examine the dietary adherence of 105 clients who were, on average, 91 pounds overweight. With three increasingly rigid standards of success, discriminant analysis successfully classified 74%, 71%, and 63% of clients as likely successes or failures using the EDI. Using the EDI scales as the independent variables, three significant multiple regressions equations were obtained that individually were predictive of total weight lost, percentage of weight lost, or weeks in treatment.