Abstract
The objective of this study is to review the history of daily self-weighing for weight control, discuss the possibility that self-weighing may cause adverse psychological symptoms, and propose mechanisms that explain how self-weighing facilitates weight control. A systematic forward (citation) tracking approach has been employed in this study. In the early literature, experimental tests did not demonstrate a benefit of adding daily self-weighing to traditional behavioral modification for weight loss. More recent studies have shown that daily self-weighing combined with personalized electronic feedback can produce and sustain weight loss with and without a traditional weight loss program. Daily self-weighing appears to be effective in preventing age-related weight gain. Apart from these experimental findings, there is considerable agreement that the frequency of self-weighing correlates with success in losing weight and sustaining the weight loss. The early literature suggested frequent self-weighing may be associated with negative psychological effects. However, more recent experimental trials do not substantiate such a causal relationship. In conclusion, daily self-weighing may be a useful strategy for certain adults to prevent weight gain, lose weight, or prevent weight regain after loss. More research is needed to better understand the role of different types of feedback, who benefits most from self-weighing, and at what frequency.
Highlights
The role of daily1 self-weighing as a viable tool for weight management has been evolving quite rapidly
Evidence has been accumulating over the past decades, suggesting that frequent weighing may be a hallmark of successful dieters and weight maintainers and that daily weighing may be useful in preventing weight regain after weight loss and in preventing agerelated weight gain
This review extends the conclusions reached in an earlier review by Vanwormer et al (2008) that daily self-weighing appears to be a useful tool for successful weight management
Summary
The role of daily self-weighing as a viable tool for weight management has been evolving quite rapidly. Frequent weighing for controlling weight has been discouraged. Commercial programs advised against self-weighing more than once a week. Cognitive-behavioral interventions for weight loss recommend at most weekly weighing because of the belief that individuals may be discouraged by negligible losses in their weight over short periods of time (Brownell, 2004; Cooper & Fairburn, 2001, 2002). Even weekly “weigh-ins” at group meetings were believed to motivate people to “beat the scale” by engaging in unhealthful weight control practices leading up to the weight measurement (Heckerman, Brownell, & Westlake, 1978).
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