Weight Reduction Efforts Research Articles

Self-efficacy, outcome, and attrition in a weight-reduction program

The utility and validity of Bandura's self-efficacy construct was evaluated in a study involving 62 volunteer overweight women. Pretreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up assessments of self-efficacy and weight loss were obtained in the context of a behaviorally oriented weight-reduction program. It was predicted that (a) weight loss would be related to enhancement in personal efficacy, (b) posttreatment efficacy would be a significant and more accurate predictor of weight loss during follow-up intervals than posttreatment weight loss, and (c) self-efficacy would be related to attrition whereas weight loss would not. Results indicate a significant relationship between weight change and personal efficacy during the follow-up intervals. In accord with Bandura's theory, efficacy expectations predicted outcome during the 6-week and 6-month follow-up intervals, whereas posttreatment weight loss was unrelated to later outcome. In addition, completers had a substantially higher level of personal efficacy than dropouts over treatment and, to a lesser extent, over the follow-up period. Some procedural considerations regarding the assessment of personal efficacy are raised, and the relationship between the cognitively based constructs of goal choice and self-efficacy and task performance are discussed. Finally, given the nature and variability of weight-reduction efforts and the overall time span of the study, it is concluded that results attest to the validity and utility of the self-efficacy construct in predicting behavioral persistence and level of behavioral change.

Weight reduction and oestrogen excretion in obese post-menopausal women

The urinary excretion of oestrone (E 1), oestradiol (E 2) and oestriol (E 3) was measured in 42 obese post-menopausal women before and 6–12 mth after their participation in a weight reduction programme. The method of inducing weight loss was based on modification of eating behaviour without specific changes in dietary composition. Urinary oestrogens, as a ratio to creatinine, were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay after purification of the specific oestrogen fraction. Before weight reduction efforts, there is a significant correlation among E 1, weight and the Quetelet-index and between E 3 and the Quetelet-index. These correlations have disappeared after weight reduction. There is a significant positive correlation between changes in body-weight and changes in the excretion of E 1, E 3 and total oestrogens. There was no significant change in the so-called oestrogen ratio (E 1 + E 2/E 3) in relation to change in body weight. With respect to the statistical association between endometrial cancer, breast cancer and overweight, our data give support to the concept that intervention programmes on weight reduction may influence both the incidence and the prognosis of these two diseases.

Medical News

<h3>FDA asks for warning labels on weight control liquid protein</h3> The Food and Drug Administration wants manufacturers voluntarily to place cautionary labels on liquid predigested (and whole) protein products intended to be principal sources of nourishment in weight reduction or maintenance efforts. The warning would specify that the products not be used unless the person is under medical supervision. It would also advise against their use by infants, children, or pregnant or nursing women. Commissioner Donald Kennedy, PhD, says the FDA wants eventually to make the labeling mandatory. However, this step will require several months to allow all interested parties to be heard. In so acting, the commissioner is following the advice of an ad hoc advisory group on protein products for weight control. These products "have simply taken the United States and Canada by storm in the past year," says Allan L. Forbes, MD, acting associate director for