Predictors of weight loss at the end of treatment and 1-year follow-up for a behavioral weight loss program

Abstract

The present study sought to identify predictors of weight loss at the end of a 10‐week treatment program and during a 1‐year follow‐up period. Participants were 83 obese women solicited from the community by advertisement. Results showed that weight loss during the first week of dieting, a greater number of past weight loss attempts, and a larger monthly weight loss goal were predictive of outcome at the end of the 10‐week treatmetn program. Work status, age of onset of obesity, and the ratio of overcome urges to total urges to overeat were predictive of weight loss from the end of treatment to the 1‐year follow‐up. No pretreatment variables predicted follow‐up weight status. Frequency of bingeing, frequency of urges, and demographic variables (other than age of onset and work status) were not predictive of weight loss at any time. The lack of commonality between identified predictors of treatment and follow‐up outcomes supports the contention that the operative factors leading to weight control differ during the treatment and maintenance phases.

Are Unrealistic Weight Loss Goals Associated with Outcomes for Overweight Women?

“…Our findings are consistent with prior studies that assessed the impact of goals on weight loss (11, 17, 18, 19, 20); results call into question the popular idea that unrealistic goals undermine weight loss success and that clinical resources should be devoted to lowering treatment expectations. Although most people's goals are clearly at odds with empirical “reality,” until stronger evidence for the importance of weight goals in determining therapeutic outcomes is forthcoming, patients might be better served if practitioners focused on factors known to predict successful outcomes, such as consistent monitoring of weight and weight control behaviors, dietary restraint, and physical activity (5, 41), rather than on counseling them about their goals.…”

“…Greater estimated weight loss was also positively associated with treatment completion. Bonato and Boland found that greater monthly goals predicted greater actual weight loss after 10 weeks, though not after 1 year (19). Oettingen and Wadden found that weight loss goals were nonsignificantly associated with weight loss after 17 weeks but significantly associated with weight loss after 52 weeks (20).…”

Weight Loss Expectations in Obese Patients and Treatment Attrition: An Observational Multicenter Study

“…Small retrospective studies found that having unrealistic weight goals may also contribute to poor weight maintenance (22, 23, 24). Finally, weight goals were not clearly associated with weight loss, both in the short term (25, 26, 27, 28) and in the long term (12 to 30 months) (21, 25, 26, 27, 28).…”

A new look at the science of weight control: How acceptance and commitment strategies can address the challenge of self-regulation

“…To the extent that individuals cannot tolerate the distress associated with experiencing these states, they will be motivated to eat in order to reduce this distress. In support of this notion, among women who completed a behavioral weight control program, the degree to which they were able to overcome urges to eat (as a ratio of overcoming urges to total urges) was predictive of weight loss from the end of treatment to 1-year follow-up (Bonato & Boland, 1987). Similarly, for many, PA results in unpleasant activity-related physiological sensations such as fatigue or sweating, boredom, or anxiety about time (Butryn, Forman, Hoffman, Shaw, & Juarascio, 2009).…”