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.…”

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.…”

The association of motivational factors with weight loss and treatment time in a publicly funded weight management clinic

“…15,16 Some studies have shown that setting higher weight loss goals is associated with more weight loss in the short term. 15,18,20,21 Meanwhile, others found no such association. 22,23 In the current study, no differences in average weight loss goals were observed across different motivation groups among men.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that weight loss goals for those primarily motivated by aesthetic reasons are similar to those motivated to lose weight for health reasons 15,16 . Some studies have shown that setting higher weight loss goals is associated with more weight loss in the short term 15,18,20,21 . Meanwhile, others found no such association 22,23 .…”

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).…”

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.…”

The association of motivational factors with weight loss and treatment time in a publicly funded weight management clinic

“…15,16 Some studies have shown that setting higher weight loss goals is associated with more weight loss in the short term. 15,18,20,21 Meanwhile, others found no such association. 22,23 In the current study, no differences in average weight loss goals were observed across different motivation groups among men.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that weight loss goals for those primarily motivated by aesthetic reasons are similar to those motivated to lose weight for health reasons 15,16 . Some studies have shown that setting higher weight loss goals is associated with more weight loss in the short term 15,18,20,21 . Meanwhile, others found no such association 22,23 .…”

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).…”

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.…”

The association of motivational factors with weight loss and treatment time in a publicly funded weight management clinic

“…15,16 Some studies have shown that setting higher weight loss goals is associated with more weight loss in the short term. 15,18,20,21 Meanwhile, others found no such association. 22,23 In the current study, no differences in average weight loss goals were observed across different motivation groups among men.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that weight loss goals for those primarily motivated by aesthetic reasons are similar to those motivated to lose weight for health reasons 15,16 . Some studies have shown that setting higher weight loss goals is associated with more weight loss in the short term 15,18,20,21 . Meanwhile, others found no such association 22,23 .…”

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).…”