Eating-related Self-regulation Research Articles

Obesity treatment-associated transfer of exercise-related self-regulation to eating-related self-regulation changes in women

ABSTRACT Obesity in the United States has risen to 42 percent of its adult population and is similarly problematic in many other countries. Although the U.S. government has provided education on healthy eating and the need to exercise regularly, behavioral obesity treatments have largely failed to sustain reductions in weight. Self-regulation, and the incorporation of exercise for its psychological impacts on eating, has sometimes been targeted. While there has been sporadic investigation into the carry-over of exercise-related self-regulation to eating-related self-regulation, the present aim is to further inquiry in that area to inform future treatment content for improved effects. Women enrolled in community-based obesity treatments with either a self-regulation (n = 106) or education (n = 54) focus were assessed on changes in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, negative mood, completed exercise, and weight. Improvements were significantly greater in the self-regulation-focused group. After controlling for initial change in eating-related self-regulation, change in that measure from Month 3 to 6 was significantly predicted by change in exercise-related self-regulation during the initial 3 treatment months. This suggested a carry-over effect. A stronger predictive relationship was associated with the self-regulation-focused treatment. In further analyses, paths from changes in exercise→negative mood→self-regulation of both exercise and eating were significant. Increase in eating-related self-regulation was significantly associated with weight loss over 6, 12, and 24 months. The self-regulation-focused group had stronger relationships, again. Findings suggested utility in targeting exercise-related self-regulation to impact later change in eating-related self-regulation, and the use of exercise-associated mood improvement to bolster participants’ self-regulation capabilities.

Relationship of increased fruit/vegetable intake with reduced consumption of sweets: Psychological mechanisms and associated weight loss in women within behavioral obesity treatments

Although an increase in fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in adults might result in reductions in their intake of sweets, there has been minimal direct testing of this. Women participated in 6-month community-based obesity treatment conditions where either their psychological skills development (n = 66) or knowledge regarding healthful eating and exercise (n = 39) was emphasized. Improvements in FV and sweets intake, eating-related self-regulation, self-efficacy for controlled eating, and negative mood were significantly more pronounced in the psychological skills group participants. Together, participants’ change in self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood significantly mediated the relationship of their changes in FV and sweets. Within simple mediation analyses, participants’ changes in self-efficacy and negative mood were significant mediators, and their treatment group membership moderated effects on sweets. We provided suggestions for future treatments based on the present findings.

Self-regulatory and self-efficacy mechanisms of weight loss in women within a community-based behavioral obesity treatment.

Given the traditional methods of treating obesity through education on controlling eating and increasing exercise have largely failed beyond the very short term, a more intensive focus on psychosocial correlates of those weight-loss behaviors has been suggested. Multiple behavioral theories incorporate self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood; however, their interrelations and effects over both the short and long term within cognitive-behavioral obesity treatments remain unclear. Within a novel community-based program with women with obesity who had either low (n = 29) or high (n = 71) mood disturbance scores, there were significant improvements in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation and eating-related self-efficacy-primary targets of that intervention-with no significant difference in those changes by mood disturbance grouping. Changes in the summed exercise- and eating-related self-regulation scores significantly mediated relationships between changes in eating-related self-efficacy and weight (over both 6 and 12months). There were similar results with mediation assessed via the extent exercise-related self-regulation carried over to eating-related self-regulation. In both of those models a reciprocal relationship between self-regulation and self-efficacy changes was indicated. In serial multiple mediation equations, paths of changes in exercise-related self-regulation → eating-related self-regulation → eating-related self-efficacy → weight were significant. However, paths were not significant when change in self-efficacy was entered as the predictor (initial) variable. Findings suggest viability in first focusing on exercise-related self-regulation, then eating-related self-regulation, in the course of increasing self-efficacy and probabilities for inducing enough sustained weight loss to improve obesity-associated health risks. Benefits of field-based research findings generalizing to weight-management applications were suggested.

Carry-Over of Exercise-Related Self-Regulation to Eating-Related Self-Regulation in Women Participating in Behavioral Obesity Treatments

ABSTRACT Purpose: Because obesity has not responded well to instructing affected adults in healthier eating behaviors and increased physical activity/exercise, enhanced research on psychosocial determinants of those behavioral changes is needed. Intervention foci on self-regulation have been suggested, but targeted research is required. Method: Women with obesity participated in community-based treatments that were either self-regulation-focused (self-regulation emphasis group; n = 52) or typical instruction-based (education [treatment-as-usual] group; n = 54). Results: There were overall significant increases in exercise-related self-regulation, physical activity/exercise, exercise-related self-efficacy, and eating-related self-regulation that were each significantly more pronounced in the self-regulation emphasis group. Increase in exercise-related self-regulation over 3 months predicted eating-related self-regulation over 6 months; however, sequential entry of changes in physical activity and exercise-related self-efficacy significantly mediated that relationship. However, only the path from changes in exercise-related self-regulation to exercise self-efficacy to eating-related self-regulation was significant. In a revised model where change in exercise self-efficacy was the sole mediator, treatment group did not significantly moderate the exercise self-regulation to eating self-regulation change relationship, but full mediation of that relationship occurred. Conclusion: Findings indicated salience for perceived ability/self-efficacy for physical activity, over actual physical activity progress, and its role in the transfer of self-regulatory skills from an exercise to eating context. Increased eating self-regulation significantly predicted weight loss over 6, 12, and 24 months. In the self-regulation emphasis group that translated to meaningful weight loss/weight-loss maintenance of greater than 5% of initial weight. Findings contributed to an increased understanding of psychosocial-change processes within obesity treatment research.

Effects of cardiovascular exercise on eating behaviours: Accounting for effects on stress, depression-, and anger-related emotional eating in women with obesity.

Obesity remains a medical issue of great concern. Behavioural methods attempting to induce weight loss have largely failed because of a minimal understanding of stress- and depression-associated psychosocial correlates. This study extended research into the effects of exercise on weight loss through psychological pathways to improve treatments. Women with obesity (N=108), participating in an original theory-driven cognitive-behavioural treatment within community-based health promotion centres, were evaluated over 24months. Their mean scores on anxiety, depression, and anger at baseline were significantly higher than normative data from a general sample of United States women. Three serial mediation models were specified assessing mediation of the significant exercise→dietary change relationship. These yielded two significant paths: changes in exercise→anxiety→anxiety-associated emotional eating→self-efficacy→diet, and changes in exercise→depression→depression-associated emotional eating→self-efficacy→diet; and one non-significant path: changes in exercise→anger→anger-associated emotional eating→self-efficacy→diet. In a subsequent moderated moderation model, change in eating-related self-regulation moderated the relationship between changes in anxiety and anxiety-associated emotional eating, where exercise-associated self-regulation moderated effects from eating-related self-regulation. Dietary improvement was significantly related to weight loss over 6 (β=-0.40), 12 (β=-0.42), and 24 (β=-0.33) months. Findings indicated an increased treatment focus on the completion of moderate amounts of exercise for weight loss and, following that, attention to improvements in anxiety, depression, anxiety- and depression-associated emotional eating, self-efficacy for controlled eating, and the transfer of exercise-related self-regulation to eating-related self-regulation. Given the scope of the obesity problem, extensions of this research within field settings are warranted to accelerate application opportunities.

Weight Loss Is Unaffected by Government-Recommended Versus Below-Recommended Exercise Amounts Completed Within a Self-Regulation–Focused Obesity Treatment in Women

Maintaining exercise in adults with obesity is challenging. Recommendations typically range from ≥150 minutes/week (≥5 moderate-intensity 30-minute sessions/week) to nearly double that amount. However, the value of exercise for weight loss might largely come from its psychological-improvement attributes rather than energy-expenditure attributes. Women participants (N = 73) of a community-based obesity program supporting self-regulation and exercise were evaluated for 6 months. Completing 3 to 4 sessions/week was associated with as much lost weight as completion of 5 to 7 sessions/week (mean overall = −5.80 kg; −6.1%). Increased exercise-related self-regulation predicted improved eating-related self-regulation and weight loss. Suggestions are provided enabling NPs to better support weight loss in patients with obesity.

Contrasts of Initial and Gain Scores in Obesity Treatment-Targeted Psychosocial Variables by Women Participants' Weight Change Patterns Over 2 Years.

The typical pattern of weight change associated with behavioral obesity treatments has been some loss in weight through approximately 6 months, followed by near complete regain. However, patterns vary widely across individuals. The objectives are to determine whether recent prediction model-based indications of relations among changes in psychosocial correlates of the weight loss behaviors of physical activity and controlled eating vary by patterns of weight change. Women with obesity enrolled in a community-based behavioral obesity treatment who failed to lose at least 5% of their baseline weight (Minimal Effect group, n = 44), lost 5% or greater and then regained most during months 6 to 24 (Loss/Regain group, n = 42), or lost 5% or greater and then maintained/continued loss (Loss/Loss group n = 42) were evaluated. Improvements in physical activity- and eating-related self-regulation and self-efficacy, mood, and emotional eating over 6 months were significant overall and generally most favorable in the Loss/Loss group and least favorable in the Minimal Effect group. Expected model-based relationships between 6-month changes in the aforementioned psychosocial variables were significant and generally not significantly affected by weight change group. However, group substantially affected the prediction of self-regulation of eating at month 24-a key correlate of long-term weight loss. Findings suggested community-based obesity treatment targets and emphases.

Effects of Increased Physical Activity/Exercise on Long-Term Losses in Weight and Waist Circumference: Serial Mediation from Changes in Exercise-Related to Eating-Related Self-Regulation.

Behavioral obesity treatments have generally been unsuccessful at facilitating long-term weight reductions. Increased physical activity/exercise is a strong predictor of maintained weight loss. It has been proposed this is more linked to increases in exercise-related self-regulation carrying-over to eating-related self-regulation than through direct energy expenditures. Women with obesity participated in 10-month community-based behavioral treatments that had theory-based foci on either self-regulation skills building (n = 59) or knowledge of weight loss methods (n = 54). Physical activity/exercise, exercise-related self-regulation, and eating-related self-regulation were assessed at baseline and months 3, 6, and 12 in the prediction of weight and waist circumference changes over 24months. Significant overall improvements on all measures were found, which were significantly greater in the self-regulation-focused group than the knowledge-focused group. Mean reductions in waist circumference/weight were - 4.64cm/ - 5.17kg (- 5.5% of baseline weight) and - 0.66cm/ - 1.19kg (- 1.2% of baseline weight), respectively. Aggregated data indicated that early increase in physical activity/exercise significantly predicted 24-month reductions in both weight and waist circumference. Serial mediation analyses indicated that a sequential path from exercise-related self-regulation (baseline-month 3) → eating-related self-regulation (baseline-month 6) → eating-related self-regulation (baseline-month 12) fully mediated the physical activity/exercise-weight/waist circumference change relationships. Energy expenditures from physical activity/exercise accounted for 21% of lost weight. Findings of this field research supported benefits of progressively building self-regulation skills, first for physical activity/exercise then controlled eating, through accordingly focused behavioral treatments. Opportunities for tailoring large-scale community-based interventions grounded in theory were enhanced.

Effects of mood on self-regulating physical activity and sweets intake within obesity treatments.

Background: Although emotional eating is associated with obesity in women, psychological correlates of their treatment-based weight-reduction behaviors are unclear. Aim: To test new model-based propositions of effects of mood on self-regulating physical activity and eating to inform interventions. Methods: Women in community-based obesity treatments with emphases on either self-regulation (n = 56) or weight-management education (n = 54) were assessed on psychological and behavioral variables over 12 months. Results: Emotional eating scores were significantly higher than general samples. Overall significant improvements were found in physical activity- and eating-related self-regulation, mood, physical activity, and sweets consumption. Improvements were more pronounced in the self-regulation-emphasis group. Mood significantly moderated self-regulation-behavior change relationships. Increased physical activity predicted improved mood. Discussion: Findings (a) suggested propensities for emotional eating in women with obesity seeking behavioral treatment, (b) clarified treatment effects and the effect of mood in the self-regulation of physical activity and eating behaviors, and (c) supported model-based treatment targets.

Reciprocal relationship of mood and emotional eating changes through self-regulation of weight-loss behaviors

Emotional eating is a considerable problem in women, and holds a great risk for obesity. Negative mood has been identified as a predictor of emotional eating, and vice versa. However, associated research has generally been cross-sectional, lacking sensitivity to dynamic changes and interactions occurring in psychological variables during a behavioral obesity treatment. The aim of the present study was to assess if physical activity-associated improvement in mood is significantly related to a subsequent reduction in emotional eating in women, and whether a reciprocal relationship is also present. Because improved mood has been posited to positively impact self-regulation, and physical activity-related self-regulation has been shown to transfer to eating-related self-regulation, they were also tested as possible mediators of mood-emotional eating relationships. A treatment focused on physical activity and self-regulation (n = 57) demonstrated greater improvements in mood, emotional eating, physical activity- and eating-related self-regulation, and physical activity than a treatment with a more typical focus on primarily providing information on healthy eating (n = 57). Reduction in negative mood over 3 months significantly predicted a 6-month reduction in emotional eating, and vice versa (i.e., a reciprocal relationship). Models with sequential entry of changes in physical activity-related self-regulation, then eating-related self-regulation, as mediators were significant. However, paths through the self-regulation changes were significant only in the model where change in mood predicted emotional eating change. Findings supported the role of physical activity in mood change, and the benefits of also addressing self-regulatory skills development within behavioral obesity treatments so that emotional eating is reduced.

Relationships Between Learned Self-Regulatory Skills and Changes in Weight-Loss Behaviors: Mediation by Barriers Self-Efficacy

This study aimed to assess changes in learned self-regulatory skills and barriers self-efficacy associated with theory-based behavioral weight-loss treatments with different curricular emphases, and to evaluate mechanisms of short- and long-term changes in exercise and eating behaviors via self-regulatory skills usage to inform theory and improve lagging intervention effects. Women with obesity volunteered and were randomly allocated into 1-year community-based behavioral weight-loss treatments with either a high ( n = 37) or moderate ( n = 41) focus on building self-regulatory skills to overcome lifestyle barriers. They were periodically assessed on measures of exercise- and eating-related self-regulatory skill usage, exercise- and eating-related barriers self-efficacy, exercise outputs, fruit/vegetable intake, and body composition. Reductions in weight and waist circumference, increases in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation and barriers self-efficacy, and increases in exercise and fruit/vegetable intake were each significant overall, and significantly greater in the group with a high self-regulatory skills-building focus. Change in barriers self-efficacy significantly mediated relationships between self-regulation change and changes in exercise outputs and fruit/vegetable intake from both baseline–Month 6 and baseline–Month 12. Change in barriers self-efficacy also significantly mediated relationships between change in self-regulation for eating from baseline–Month 3 and long-term changes in self-regulation for eating. Findings supported tenets of social cognitive, self-efficacy, and self-regulation theories: and indicated the importance of emphasizing, and facilitating a high amount of instruction and rehearsal time for self-regulatory skills development within behavioral weight-loss treatments. The ability to nurture self-efficacy through overcoming lifestyle barriers was also indicated.

Contrasting Personal Characteristics and Psychosocial Correlates of Exercise and Eating Behavior Changes in Women Successful vs. Unsuccessful with Weight Loss and Maintenance.

There is great variability in individuals' responses to behavioral weight-loss treatments. Beyond attaining meaningful weight loss in the initial several weeks, little is known of the characteristics of participants successful vs. unsuccessful with short- and long-term weight loss. Separate samples of women with obesity enrolled in cognitive-behavioral weight-loss treatments were assessed over 6months (Study 1: successful weight-loss group, n=83; unsuccessful group, n=158), and over 24months (Study 2: sustained initially lost weight, n=25; regained weight, n=19), on personal characteristics and theory-driven psychosocial variables. In Study 1, significantly older age and greater eating self-regulation at baseline were found in the successful group. Significantly greater improvements in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, mood, exercise- and eating-related self-efficacy, physical self-concept, and body satisfaction were found in the successful group. In Study 2, the sustainer group had significantly more favorable changes over 2years in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, and mood. During Months 6-24, the psychosocial correlates of both exercise and eating behaviors regressed, with more pronounced reversions in the regainer group. Increasing the magnitude of treatment-associated improvement in each of the tested theory-based psychosocial factors is warranted to increase probabilities for success with attaining and maintaining meaningful weight loss.

Effects of exercise self-regulation on subsequent eating self-regulation: Implications for depletion vs. improvement based on behavioral treatment foci

IntroductionAn improved understanding of individuals’ ability to self-regulate through barriers in the management of their weight-loss behaviors is important. Although self-regulation related to exercise might carry-over to increased eating-related self-regulation through the development of such skills, it also might be depleted because self-regulation is thought to be a limited resource. Additionally, mood might affect self-regulation change. ObjectiveThis field study aimed to determine if exercise-related self-regulation was associated with subsequent eating-related self-regulation, how treatment foci affected that relationship, and if mood change concurrently influenced self-regulation. MethodAn educational weight-loss treatment (n=52) and a behaviorally based self-regulatory-focused treatment (n=57) was administered to women with obesity via a community health-promotion setting. Baseline – Month 3 changes in their exercise self-regulation and overall negative mood, and Months 3–6 change in eating self-regulation, were assessed. ResultsImprovements were significantly greater in the self-regulation treatment group on exercise self-regulation, eating self-regulation, and mood. For the self-regulation group, there was a significant positive relationship between changes in exercise self-regulation and eating self-regulation, β=0.27, p=0.044. Conversely, the association of those variables was significant and inverse in the educational group, β=−0.29, p=0.039. Reduction in negative mood was significantly related to increased exercise self-regulation, across groups, β=−0.32, p=0.001. ConclusionWhen self-regulation was focused upon and rehearsed within an exercise context, its changes positively affected subsequent changes in eating self-regulation. However, when self-regulation was not targeted, self-regulation used for maintaining exercise depleted eating-focused self-regulation. Findings contributed to self-regulatory theory and had implications for the improvement of behavioral weight-loss treatments.

Food-Cal: development of a controlled database of high and low calorie food matched with non-food pictures.

Industrialization has led to more varied and attractive high-calorie foods. Health problems such as obesity and diabetes are partially attributed to eating-related self-regulation difficulties that may be caused by increasingly frequent cues for highly palatable foods. Research studies aim at understanding the factors underlying responses to food cues. This has led to the development of food stimuli databases. However, they present some limitations. This study aimed at providing a controlled set of pictures, including 40 food pictures with high- and low-calorie stimuli, matched with 40 non-food pictures. The second objective was to provide a ready-to-use database with normative data regarding responses and associations between demographic, anthropometric and eating-related characteristics, and picture ratings. A sample of 264 participants rated the total set of pictures. Attractiveness, arousal and palatability were assessed for each picture, as well as participant's current type of diet, BMI, hunger levels and eating behaviors (uncontrolled and emotional eating). Image characteristics (shape, colors, luminance) were comparable between food and matched non-food pictures. Positive correlations were found between hunger levels and attractiveness, arousal and palatability of food. Uncontrolled and emotional eating was positively correlated with high-calorie food palatability, and uncontrolled eating was positively correlated with high-calorie food attractiveness. Participants who did not report any specific diet rated high-calorie foods as more attractive and arousing, whereas vegan and vegetarian participants assessed low-calorie foods as more attractive and palatable. The Food-Cal controlled set of picture database can be considered as a useful tool for experimental research. Level V, cross-sectional descriptivestudy.

Effects of mood change on self-regulatory skill usage and subsequent impacts on physical activity and eating changes within the weight-loss phase of differing behavioral obesity treatment types: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionPrevious research suggests the value of self-regulation for facilitating weight-loss behaviors. This study aimed to determine if improved mood has a facilitative effect on the self-regulation of healthy eating and exercise outputs associated within behavioral obesity treatments. MethodsData were from women with obesity (mean age=47.1±8.4years; mean BMI=35.0±3.2kg/m2) who previously participated in one of two community-based weight-loss treatment types over 6 months. One supported manual-based education on the need for healthy eating and increased exercise (n=127). The other focused on self-regulation skills applied first to exercise, then eating behaviors (n=107). Changes in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation, negative mood, exercise and eating behaviors, and weight were assessed. ResultsFor both the psychological, exercise, and eating changes, effect sizes for within-group improvements were uniformly larger in the self-regulation group. Weight loss was 2.1% in the education group, and 6.3% in the self-regulation group. Based on 95% confidence intervals, changes in self-regulation over 3 months significantly mediated the prediction of changes in exercise, fruit/vegetable intake, and sweets consumption over 6 months by treatment type. Change over 3 months in mood significantly moderated (p-values≤0.01) the above-indicated association of treatment type with self-regulation change. Mood score at month 3 was also a significant moderator (p-values<0.05) in the models predicting eating changes. Increased fruit/vegetable intake significantly predicted reduced weight (p=0.009), and reduced sweets, bread products, and dairy (p-values≤0.01). ConclusionFindings clarified benefits for targeting self-regulation and mood within behavioral weight-loss treatments that go well-beyond typical processes of providing education on desirable behaviors.

Does an Effective Theoretically Based Weight Loss Treatment for Middle-Aged Women Work for Young Women?

ABSTRACTBackground: Young adults gain weight faster and suffer from chronic diseases at a younger age than their older counterparts. Existing behavioral obesity treatments included few young adults, and their effects on young adults remain unknown. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore whether a behavioral treatment that was effective in weight loss for mostly middle-aged women would be effective for young women. Methods: One hundred eleven female undergraduates with obesity recruited from a large public university in the Southeastern United States in 2014–2016 received treatment, including 6 individual exercise support sessions over 6 months and 20 biweekly group nutrition sessions. Measurements include weight, waist circumference, physical activity, diet, mood, and exercise- and eating-related self-regulation and self-efficacy at baseline and at months 3 and 6. Results: Attrition was 65.8% at month 3 and 87.4% at month 6. Paired t tests show significant reductions in weight and significant improvements in weight loss–related behaviors and psychological variables at month 3. More average weight was lost at month 6. Discussion: Despite high attrition, the treatment demonstrated some positive effects for the young college women who continued attending sessions. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health Educators should explore reasons for attrition among college students with obesity and develop treatment components to help them lose excess weight.

Interactive and indirect effects of trait impulsivity facets on body mass index

Impulsivity is a personality trait that may be a risk factor for overweight and obesity. Increasing evidence suggests, however, that only specific facets of impulsivity are associated with eating- and weight-related variables. Moreover, there seem to be interactive effects such that eating-related self-regulation is low when more than one impulsivity facet is elevated. Finally, the effect of impulsivity on body weight appears to be indirect, that is, is mediated by eating behaviors. In the current study, 790 adults (83% female, 80% students) completed a short form of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Perceived Self-Regulatory Success in Dieting Scale online and reported their current height and weight. Scores on attentional and motor impulsivity were interactively associated with perceived self-regulatory success in weight regulation: Higher attentional impulsivity was associated with lower perceived self-regulatory success at high levels of motor impulsivity, but not at low levels of motor impulsivity. A moderated mediation model revealed an indirect effect of attentional impulsivity on body mass index (BMI) via perceived self-regulatory success in weight regulation at high, but not low levels of motor impulsivity. Non-planning impulsivity was unrelated to perceived self-regulatory success in weight regulation and BMI. Results support previous findings such that attentional and motor impulsivity are interactively associated with eating- and weight-related measures. Specifically, eating-related self-regulation is low when both attentional and motor impulsivity levels are high. Moreover, results further support that self-reported trait impulsivity is not directly related to BMI, but indirectly via eating behaviors as potential mediators.

Dieting and Food Cue-Related Working Memory Performance.

Executive functioning (e.g., working memory) is tightly intertwined with self-regulation. For example, food cue-elicited craving has been found to impair working memory performance. Furthermore, current dieters have been found to show lower working memory performance than non-dieters. Recent research, however, suggests that it is crucial to consider dieting success in addition to current dieting status or restrained eating in order to reveal cognitive mechanisms that are associated with successful eating-related self-regulation. The current study investigated food cue-related working memory performance as a function of dieting status and dieting success in female students. Participants performed an n-back task with pictures of food and neutral objects. Reaction time in response to food pictures was slower than in response to neutral pictures, whereas omission errors did not differ between picture types. Current food craving was increased after performing the food block, but not after the neutral block. There was an indirect effect of current dieting status on higher food craving after the food block, which was mediated by slower reaction time to food vs. neutral pictures. Furthermore, higher dieting success was associated with fewer omission errors in the food vs. neutral block in current dieters. There were no relationships of restrained eating with current food craving and task performance. Results further highlight the need to differentiate between successful and unsuccessful dieting in addition to current dieting status or restrained eating when examining possible mechanisms of overeating or successful restraint. Although palatable food cues induce food craving regardless of dieting success, they may boost executive functioning in successful dieters, which helps them to overcome these temptations.

Replication and Extension of the Weight Loss For Life Community-Based Treatment Protocol

ABSTRACTMaintaining weight-loss beyond 6–9 months within behavioral treatments has been problematic. However, a social cognitive theory-driven, community-based curriculum emphasizing the generalization of physical activity-related self-regulation, to eating-related self-regulation (phase 1 treatment; n = 55), demonstrated success at both inducing lost weight over its initial 6 months, and maintaining that loss through month 24. The present replication study contrasted those outcomes with a phase 2 version of the year-long treatment (n = 74) that added a follow-up component during year 2 consisting of 5 brief phone interactions to reinforce self-regulatory skills. Participants were all women with obesity (body mass index 30–40 kg/m2; mean age = 48 years). In phase 2, the mean weight loss of 6.3% during baseline-month 6, and regain of 0.7% through month 24, did not significantly differ from phase 1. However, phase 2 methods were associated with significantly better retention of improvements in self-regulation, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. For phase 2 results, second-year change in fruit/vegetable consumption completely mediated the significant relationship between self-regulation and weight change, and change in physical activity completely mediated the significant relationship between self-regulation and weight change, over the 2-year study. Findings suggest the importance of moderate physical activity and more intensive follow-up focused on self-regulation processes.

Attentional and motor impulsivity interactively predict ‘food addiction’ in obese individuals

BackgroundImpulsivity is a multifaceted construct and constitutes a common risk factor for a range of behaviors associated with poor self-control (e.g., substance use or binge eating). The short form of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-15) measures impulsive behaviors related to attentional (inability to focus attention or concentrate), motor (acting without thinking), and non-planning (lack of future orientation or forethought) impulsivity. Eating-related measures appear to be particularly related to attentional and motor impulsivity and recent findings suggest that interactive effects between these two facets may play a role in eating- and weight-regulation. MethodsOne-hundred thirty-three obese individuals presenting for bariatric surgery (77.4% female) completed the BIS-15 and the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) 2.0, which measures addiction-like eating based on the eleven symptoms of substance use disorder outlined in the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. ResultsSixty-three participants (47.4%) were classified as being ‘food addicted’. Scores on attentional and motor impulsivity interactively predicted ‘food addiction’ status: higher attentional impulsivity was associated with a higher likelihood of receiving a YFAS 2.0 diagnosis only at high (+1 SD), but not at low (−1 SD) levels of motor impulsivity. ConclusionsResults support previous findings showing that non-planning impulsivity does not appear to play a role in eating-related self-regulation. Furthermore, this is the first study that shows interactive effects between different impulsivity facets when predicting ‘food addiction’ in obese individuals. Self-regulatory failure in eating-regulation (e.g., addiction-like overeating) may particularly emerge when both attentional and motor impulsivity levels are elevated.