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 .
Weight loss and psychologic gain in obese women-participants in a supported exercise intervention.
BACKGROUND Physical activity is a predictor of maintained weight loss ; however , causal mechanisms are unclear . Behavioral theories suggest that associated psychologic changes may indirectly affect weight loss . OBJECTIVE We sought to test the association of a behaviorally based exercise support protocol ( The Coach Approach [ CA ] ) , with and without a group-based nutrition education program ( Cultivating Health ) , with adherence to exercise and changes in physiologic and psychologic factors , and to assess theory-based paths to weight and body-fat changes . SETTING The study took place in YMCA wellness centers . STUDY SUBJECTS Study participation was open to formerly sedentary obese women . DESIGN Study participants were r and omly assigned to the CA Only ( CA ; n = 81 ) , The CA Plus Cultivating Health ( CA/CH ; n = 128 ) , or the control ( n = 64 ) group . We contrasted dropout and attendance rates and changes in self-efficacy ( SE ) , physical self-concept ( PSC ) , total mood disturbance ( TMD ) , body areas satisfaction ( BAS ) , and select physiologic factors during a six-month period . We also analyzed proposed paths to weight loss . RESULTS The CA and CA/CH groups had significantly lower exercise dropout rates ( χ(2 ) = 44.67 , p < 0.001 ) and higher attendance rates ( F = 10.02 ; p < 0.001 ) than the control group did . Improvements in body fat , body mass index ( BMI ) , and waist circumference were significant for only the CA and CA/CH groups . Significant improvements in TMD , PSC , and BAS scores were found for all groups , with effect sizes greater in the groups incorporating the CA protocol . Within the five paths assessed , entry of changes in TMD and BAS scores into multiple-regression equations , along with SE and PSC scores , increased the explained variance in exercise session attendance from 5 % ( p = 0.01 ) to 16 % ( p < 0.001 ) . Exercise session attendance was significantly associated with changes in body fat ( r = -0.41 ; p < 0.001 ) and BMI ( r = -0.46 ; p < 0.001 ) . CONCLUSION Counseling based on social cognitive and self-efficacy theory may increase exercise adherence and improve variables indirectly related to weight and body-fat reductions . Although decreases in body fat and BMI were obtained , they appeared less pronounced than psychologic improvements . Additional research on interrelations of physical activity , psychologic factors , and weight change is warranted for development of obesity treatments
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 .