The use of motivational enhancement strategies for the maintenance of weight loss among obese individuals: a preliminary investigation

Abstract

To investigate the efficacy of motivational enhancement strategies integrated within a standard lifestyle modification program for the maintenance of weight loss and improved psychosocial functioning of obese adults. Twenty-two obese adults completed 20 sessions of a motivationally informed cognitive behavioural treatment for weight loss and maintenance. Treatment outcome measures included anthropometrics, obesity-specific quality of life, impulsive eating tendencies, body dissatisfaction, mood disturbance and maladaptive cognitions. At post-treatment, there was a significant decrease in body weight (123.04 +/- 22.06 vs. 116.84 +/- 23.53, p < 0.001) with no significant change by the 12-month follow-up. Patients also reported significant improvements in obesity-related quality of life, impulsive eating tendencies, body dissatisfaction and maladaptive cognitions at post-treatment that were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. The implementation of motivational enhancement strategies within a cognitive behavioural program results in sustained weight loss that compares favourably to previous lifestyle modification programs.