Effects of a Weight Management Intervention on Holiday Weight Change And Body Image in Inactive Overweight Midlife Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The holiday season is linked to weight gain which has also been related to distress about self-attitudinal aspects of body image (BI) inclusive of physical appearance and perceptions about physical fitness and health. The impact of a weight management intervention on holiday weight change and BI in midlife females has not been investigated. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of an 11-week weight management intervention on holiday weight change and BI in inactive overweight postmenopausal women. METHODS: Females (n=18; 54.7±3.9 yrs; BMI=30.5±4.5 kg/m2) completed an 11-week weight management program (supervised exercise with nutrition education) with three phases: 1) Pre-Holiday (PreH; 5 weeks), 2) Holiday Period (HP; Thanksgiving 2017 through New Year’s Day 2018; unsupervised social media support only), and 3) Post-Holiday (PostH; 6-weeks). Weight and BI [Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire subscales] were assessed at four times: 1) Baseline 1 (B1); 2) Follow-up 1 (F1; post PreH); 3) Baseline 2 (B2; post HP, baseline for PostH); and 4) Follow-up 2 (F2; final measure after PostH). Data analysis utilized one-way repeated measures ANOVAs and Pearson’s correlations. RESULTS: Weight change was highly variable from B1 to F2 (range=-6.0 to 5.1 kg) although no significant changes occurred (B1=79.5±12.7 kg; F1=79.2±12.4 kg; B2=79.9 ±12.8 kg; F2=79.9±12.4 kg; p=.33, ESB1-F2=.03). Contrarily, Appearance Evaluation (B1=2.4±0.6, F1=2.5±0.8, B2=2.6±0.9, F2=2.7±0.8; p=.01; p=.004; ESB1-F2=.52), Fitness Orientation (B1=2.7±.6; F1=3.0±.7; B2=2.9±.5; F2=3.0±.7; p=.013; ESB1-F2=.43), and Health Orientation (B1=3.1±.7; F1=3.4±.6; B2=3.4±.6; F2=3.5±.6; p < .001; ESB1-F2=.65), increased. No changes in the subscales of Body Areas Satisfaction, Overweight Preoccupation and Self-Classified Weight subscales were detected (all p ≥ .05). Change in weight was related to change in both Fitness and Health Orientation (B1 to F2; r=-.50; p=.03; and r=-.54; p=.02; respectively), but it was not related to changes in Appearance Evaluation (r=-.22, p=.37). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary pilot study suggests that the 11-week weight management intervention attenuated holiday weight gain while positively influencing body image in overweight midlife females.