Does Social Support for Eating and Exercise Behaviors Influence Weight Loss in Overweight Adults?

Abstract

0541 PURPOSE: To examine whether perceived social support from family members and friends for modifying eating and exercise behaviors is correlated with weight loss in overweight adult women. METHODS: Eighty-six overweight women (body mass index = 30.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2, age = 39.3 ± 5.4 years) participated in an 18 month behavioral weight loss program. The weight loss intervention consisted of reducing dietary intake to 1200–1500 kcal/d and reducing dietary fat to 20 to 30% of total energy intake. Exercise was prescribed for 200 min/wk at a moderate intensity. Body weight and social support were measured at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months. Social support from family and friends for both eating and exercise was assessed using the Sallis Social Support Scales. RESULTS: Social support from family and friends for eating behaviors increased at 6, 12, and 18 months (p<0.05). Social support for exercise from family increased significantly at 6, 12, and 18 months, whereas social support for exercise from friends significantly increased at 6 and 12 months (p<0.05). Data were analyzed to assess the correlation between changes in social support and changes in body weight. Social support from family for eating behaviors was significantly correlated with percent weight change at 6 (r = 0.24 p<0.05) and 18 months (r = 0.25 p<0.05), with social support from friends significantly correlated with percent weight change at 6 (r = 0.22, p<0.05), 12 (r = 0.28, p<0.05), and 18 months (r = 0.35, p<0.01). Social support from family for exercise behaviors was significantly correlated with percent weight change at 6 (r = 0.35, p<0.01) and 12 months (r = 0.28, p<0.05), with social support from friends significantly correlated with percent weight change at 6 (0.29, p<0.01) and 12 months (r = 0.25, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Social support from friends and family for both eating and exercise behaviors increased in response to an 18 month behavioral weight loss intervention, and these improvements in social support were correlated with weight loss. Therefore, behavioral weight loss interventions should develop strategies to increase social support because of the potential of this strategy to improve weight loss outcomes. Supported by the National Institutes of Health (DK 58002)