Instrumentalization of eating improves weight loss maintenance in obesity

TY - JOUR

T1 - Instrumentalization of eating improves weight loss maintenance in obesity

AU - Christensen, Bodil Just

AU - Iepsen, Eva Pers Winning

AU - Lundgren, Julie Rehné

AU - Holm, Lotte

AU - Madsbad, Sten

AU - Holst, Jens Juul

AU - Torekov, Signe Sørensen

PY - 2018/2/1

Y1 - 2018/2/1

N2 - Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial determinants for maintaining weight loss. Methods: 42 obese individuals who achieved a 12% weight loss before entering a 52-week weight maintenance program were interviewed qualitatively. Psychosocial factors related to weight loss maintenance were identified in two contrasting groups: weight reducers and weight regainers. Groups were defined by health-relevant weight maintenance (additional weight loss > 3% at week 52, n = 9 versus weight gain > 3%, at week 52, n = 20). Results: Weight reducers reported structured meal patterns (p = 0.008), no comfort eating (p = 0.016) and less psychosocial stress (p = 0.04) compared to weight regainers. The ability to instrumentalize eating behavior emerged as an important factor (p = 0.007). Nutritional knowledge, motivation or exercise level did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Successful weight loss maintenance was associated with an interplay between behavioral, affective and contextual changes. ‘Instrumentalization of eating behavior' seems to be an important element in long-term weight maintenance.

AB - Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial determinants for maintaining weight loss. Methods: 42 obese individuals who achieved a 12% weight loss before entering a 52-week weight maintenance program were interviewed qualitatively. Psychosocial factors related to weight loss maintenance were identified in two contrasting groups: weight reducers and weight regainers. Groups were defined by health-relevant weight maintenance (additional weight loss > 3% at week 52, n = 9 versus weight gain > 3%, at week 52, n = 20). Results: Weight reducers reported structured meal patterns (p = 0.008), no comfort eating (p = 0.016) and less psychosocial stress (p = 0.04) compared to weight regainers. The ability to instrumentalize eating behavior emerged as an important factor (p = 0.007). Nutritional knowledge, motivation or exercise level did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Successful weight loss maintenance was associated with an interplay between behavioral, affective and contextual changes. ‘Instrumentalization of eating behavior' seems to be an important element in long-term weight maintenance.

KW - Body weight maintenance

KW - Interviews

KW - Obesity

KW - Psychosocial aspects

KW - Qualitative research

KW - Quantification

U2 - 10.1159/000481138

DO - 10.1159/000481138

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29207396

AN - SCOPUS:85037360898

SN - 1662-4025

VL - 10

SP - 633

EP - 647

JO - Obesity Facts

JF - Obesity Facts

IS - 6

ER -