Identified mediators for medium-/long-term weight control were higher levels of autonomous motivation , self-efficacy/barriers , self-regulation skills ( such as self-monitoring ) , flexible eating restraint , and positive body image .
For physical activity , significant putative mediators were high autonomous motivation , self-efficacy , and use of self-regulation skills .
For dietary intake , the evidence was much less clear , and no consistent mediators were identified .
Conclusions This is the first systematic review of mediational psychological mechanisms of successful outcomes in obesity-related lifestyle change interventions .
Despite limited evidence , higher autonomous motivation , self-efficacy , and self-regulation skills emerged as the best predictors of beneficial weight and physical activity outcomes ; for weight control , positive body image and flexible eating restraint may additionally improve outcomes .
These variables represent possible targets for future lifestyle interventions in overweight/obese population
Background Relapse is high in lifestyle obesity interventions involving behavior and weight change .
Identifying mediators of successful outcomes in these interventions is critical to improve effectiveness and to guide approaches to obesity treatment , including re source allocation .
This article review s the most consistent self-regulation mediators of medium- and long-term weight control , physical activity , and dietary intake in clinical and community behavior change interventions targeting overweight/obese adults .
Mediators of weight loss and weight loss maintenance in middle-aged women.
Long-term behavioral self-regulation is the hallmark of successful weight control . We tested mediators of weight loss and weight loss maintenance in middle-aged women who participated in a r and omized controlled 12-month weight management intervention . Overweight and obese women ( N = 225 , BMI = 31.3 + /- 4.1 kg/m(2 ) ) were r and omly assigned to a control or a 1-year group intervention design ed to promote autonomous self-regulation of body weight . Key exercise , eating behavior , and body image variables were assessed before and after the program , and tested as mediators of weight loss ( 12 months , 86 % retention ) and weight loss maintenance ( 24 months , 81 % retention ) . Multiple mediation was employed and an intention-to-treat analysis conducted . Treatment effects were observed for all putative mediators ( Effect size : 0.32 - 0.79 , P < 0.01 vs. controls ) . Weight change was -7.3 + /- 5.9 % ( 12-month ) and -5.5 + /- 5.0 % ( 24-month ) in the intervention group and -1.7 + /- 5.0 % and -2.2 + /- 7.5 % in controls . Change in most psychosocial variables was associated with 12-month weight change , but only flexible cognitive restraint ( P < 0.01 ) , disinhibition ( P < 0.05 ) , exercise self-efficacy ( P < 0.001 ) , exercise intrinsic motivation ( P < 0.01 ) , and body dissatisfaction ( P < 0.05 ) predicted 24-month weight change . Lower emotional eating , increased flexible cognitive restraint , and fewer exercise barriers mediated 12-month weight loss ( R(2 ) = 0.31 , P < 0.001 ; effect ratio : 0.37 ) , but only flexible restraint and exercise self-efficacy mediated 24-month weight loss ( R(2 ) = 0.17 , P < 0.001 ; effect ratio : 0.89 ) . This is the first study to evaluate self-regulation mediators of weight loss and 2-year weight loss maintenance , in a large sample of overweight women . Results show that lowering emotional eating and adopting a flexible dietary restraint pattern are critical for sustained weight loss . For long-term success , interventions must also be effective in promoting exercise intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy
Identified mediators for medium-/long-term weight control were higher levels of autonomous motivation , self-efficacy/barriers , self-regulation skills ( such as self-monitoring ) , flexible eating restraint , and positive body image .
For physical activity , significant putative mediators were high autonomous motivation , self-efficacy , and use of self-regulation skills .
For dietary intake , the evidence was much less clear , and no consistent mediators were identified .
Conclusions This is the first systematic review of mediational psychological mechanisms of successful outcomes in obesity-related lifestyle change interventions .
Despite limited evidence , higher autonomous motivation , self-efficacy , and self-regulation skills emerged as the best predictors of beneficial weight and physical activity outcomes ; for weight control , positive body image and flexible eating restraint may additionally improve outcomes .
These variables represent possible targets for future lifestyle interventions in overweight/obese population
Background Relapse is high in lifestyle obesity interventions involving behavior and weight change .
Identifying mediators of successful outcomes in these interventions is critical to improve effectiveness and to guide approaches to obesity treatment , including re source allocation .
This article review s the most consistent self-regulation mediators of medium- and long-term weight control , physical activity , and dietary intake in clinical and community behavior change interventions targeting overweight/obese adults .