Engagement In Weight Control Behaviors Research Articles

Changes in weight control behaviors and hedonic hunger in a commercial weight management program adapted for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

A WW (formerly Weight Watchers) program adapted for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) previously was found to be more effective than standard care (SC) intervention for weight loss, improved glycemic control, and weight- and diabetes-related quality of life measures. With data from the same national trial, this study examined whether WW adapted for persons with T2DM also increased engagement in weight control behaviors and decreased hedonic hunger, each of which could contribute to improved diabetes management. Individuals with T2DM (n = 563) and overweight or obesity participated in a 12-month, 16-site, randomized trial of WW with diabetes counseling or SC. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) evaluated whether 12-month changes in weight control behaviors (Eating Behavior Inventory; EBI) and hedonic hunger (Power of Food Scale; PFS) differed by treatment condition. If a significant treatment effect was found, 12-month changes in EBI/PFS were regressed on 12-month changes in HbA1c and percent weight loss to explore potential treatment differences in these associations. EBI scores increased significantly over the 12-months (p < 0.001), with greater improvements in WW than SC (p < 0.001). PFS decreased significantly in the 12-months (p < 0.001), with no differences between treatment groups (p = 0.15). HLM analyses that followed up on the significant treatment effect for 12-month change in EBI revealed no significant differences by treatment condition for the relationship between change in EBI scores and change in HbA1c (p = 0.14) or percent weight loss (p = 0.32). Across all participants, 12-month improvements in EBI and PFS were related to improved HbA1c (r = 0.22; -0.13, respectively) and greater percent weight loss (r = 0.41; -0.18, respectively) (ps < 0.01). WW with diabetes counseling produced greater engagement in weight control behaviors in those with T2DM than did SC. Across both groups, improved weight control behaviors and hedonic hunger were related to improved glycemic control and weight loss.

Youth Safety Perceptions of Weight Control Behaviors.

Youth attempting to lose weight may engage in a variety of weight control behaviors (WCBs), some of which are viewed as healthy WCBs (HWCBs), whereas others are viewed as unhealthy WCBs (UWCBs). This study sought to examine youth perceptions of which WCBs are safe versus unsafe ways to lose weight. Furthermore, youth safety perceptions of WCBs and body mass index (BMI) z-scores were examined in relation to how often youth engage in these WCBs. Participants were 219 youth (aged 10-17 years) attending a primary care clinic appointment. Participants completed questionnaires about the frequency of their own WCB use and whether they perceived each WCB as a safe way to lose weight. Results revealed differences in safety perceptions across weight status groups for certain HWCBs and UWCBs. Youth perception of WCBs as safe ways to lose weight was associated with more frequent engagement in WCBs. Furthermore, an interaction between youth safety perception of HWCBs and youth BMI z-scores was related to greater engagement in HWCBs, such that the relationship between safety perception and engagement was only significant for youth who are overweight/obese. The moderation model explained 36.95% of the variance in engagement in HWCBs. The moderation model was also significant for UWCBs (r = .35). This study identifies youth safety perception of WCBs as a mechanism that may lead to increased youth engagement in WCBs. Health care providers should educate both youth and family members about safe versus unsafe WCBs.

Keep it off: A phone-based intervention for long-term weight-loss maintenance

Long-term weight-loss maintenance is notoriously difficult to achieve and promote. As the novelty of weight loss treatment fades, enthusiasm for diet and exercise tends to wane in the maintenance phase. Given the recognition of obesity as a chronic disorder requiring continued engagement in weight-control behaviors, there is a need to identify cost-effective and supportive therapies that can sustain motivation. In this paper, we describe the study design and baseline characteristics of participants enrolled in a trial to evaluate a program (Keep It Off) developed specifically for weight-loss maintenance using therapeutic phone contact with recent weight losers throughout the period in which they are at highest risk for weight regain. In the Keep It Off randomized clinical trial we are evaluating this phone-based intervention that focuses on key weight-loss maintenance behaviors followed by continued self-monitoring, reporting of weight, feedback, and outreach in members of a Minnesota managed-care organization. The goal of the intervention is to flatten the typical relapse curve. Moreover, data from this trial will inform our understanding of weight-loss maintenance, including predictors and behaviors that increase the likelihood of success over the long term.