Psychosocial predictors of decay in healthy eating and physical activity improvements in obese women regaining lost weight: translation of behavioral theory into treatment suggestions
ABSTRACTRegain of lost weight is a universal problem for behavioral treatments. An increased understanding of theory based psychosocial predictors of decay in behavioral correlates of weight loss might improve treatments. Data were derived from a previous weight loss investigation of 110 women with obesity. A subsample from the experimental treatment who lost =3 body weight and regained at least one third of that over 24 months (N 36) was assessed. During months 6 through 24, there were unfavorable changes in behavioral (fruit/vegetable and sweet intake; physical activity) and psychosocial variables. Mood change predicted change in fruit/vegetable and sweet intake, with emotional eating change mediating the latter relationship. Change in self regulation predicted changes in sweet and fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity, with self efficacy mediating the self regulation fruit/vegetable intake and self regulation physical activity relationships. Findings suggest that after treatment induced weight loss, addressing indicated theory based psychosocial variables might mitigate decay in behavioral predictors of healthier weight.
Translational behavioral medicine