Participation of Female Emerging Adults in a Theory- and Evidence-Based Behavioral Weight Loss Program

Contrasting Personal Characteristics and Psychosocial Correlates of Exercise and Eating Behavior Changes in Women Successful vs. Unsuccessful with Weight Loss and Maintenance

BACKGROUND

There is great variability in individuals' responses to behavioral weight-loss treatments. Beyond attaining meaningful weight loss in the initial several weeks, little is known of the characteristics of participants successful vs. unsuccessful with short- and long-term weight loss.

METHODS

Separate samples of women with obesity enrolled in cognitive-behavioral weight-loss treatments were assessed over 6 months (Study 1: successful weight-loss group, n = 83; unsuccessful group, n = 158), and over 24 months (Study 2: sustained initially lost weight, n = 25; regained weight, n = 19), on personal characteristics and theory-driven psychosocial variables.

RESULTS

In Study 1, significantly older age and greater eating self-regulation at baseline were found in the successful group. Significantly greater improvements in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, mood, exercise- and eating-related self-efficacy, physical self-concept, and body satisfaction were found in the successful group. In Study 2, the sustainer group had significantly more favorable changes over 2 years in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, and mood. During Months 6-24, the psychosocial correlates of both exercise and eating behaviors regressed, with more pronounced reversions in the regainer group.

CONCLUSION

Increasing the magnitude of treatment-associated improvement in each of the tested theory-based psychosocial factors is warranted to increase probabilities for success with attaining and maintaining meaningful weight loss.