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 .
Exercise autonomous motivation predicts 3-yr weight loss in women.
PURPOSE This study evaluated exercise-related predictors of  successful long-term weight control in women by analyzing the extent to which sustained exercise participation and self-determination theory (SDT)-based exercise motivation variables mediated the impact of a behavioral weight control intervention on 3-yr weight change . METHODS Longitudinal r and omized controlled trial consisting of a 1-yr SDT-based intervention and a 2-yr follow-up with 221 female participants ( means ± SD : age = 37.6 ± 7 yr , body mass index = 31.6 ± 4.1 kg·m(-2 ) ) . The tested model incorporated experimentally manipulated perceived need support , motivational regulations , and 2-yr exercise adherence as mediators of the intervention 's impact on 3-yr weight change . Paths were tested using partial least squares analysis . Where there were significant intervening paths , tests of mediation were conducted . RESULTS Treatment had significant effects on 1- and 2-yr autonomous regulations , 2-yr physical activity , and 3-yr weight change , fully mediated by the tested paths ( effect ratio = 0.10 - 0.61 ) . Moderate and vigorous exercise at 2 yr had a significant effect ( P < 0.001 ) on weight loss success at 3 yr and partially mediated the effect of treatment on weight change . The 2-yr autonomous regulation effects on follow-up weight change were only partially mediated by physical activity ( effect ratio = 0.42 ) . CONCLUSIONS This application of SDT to physical activity and weight management showed that not all types of motivation predict long-term behavioral outcomes and that sustained moderate and vigorous exercise mediated long-term weight change . It provides strong evidence for a link between experimentally increased autonomous motivation and exercise and long-term weight loss maintenance . Results highlight the importance of interventions targeting the internalization of exercise behavioral regulation and making exercise and physical activity positive and meaningful experiences rather than simply focusing on immediate behavior change in overweight/obese women
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 .