A study published in the Obesity journal looked at about 2,500 WeightWatchers members who, on average, lost about 58 pounds and maintained it for over 3.5 years.
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Science shows that weight gain over time is common, but new research co-authored by Caltech faculty and staff reveals an effective way to recover from weight loss. new data was collected on the strategy.
Suzanne Phelan — Director of Cal Poly’s Center for Health Research and Professor of Kinesiology and Public Health at the College of Science and Mathematics — Assisted with article published in Obesity on October 25. Association with weight-related topics. Phelan’s team surveyed thousands of participants in the WW (WeightWatchers) program.
This study used data from extensive questionnaires that were distributed to participants in 2019-2020, investigating behaviors, goals, successes, and setbacks.
“This really begs the question, ‘How do people who are successful at maintaining weight loss in the long term do it?'” Phelan said. of settings. “What can we learn from them that will help others on similar journeys be more successful?”
Key research findings revealed individuals who successfully maintained weight loss. Self-monitor often. And I used my coping and problem-solving skills to get back on track.
The study was led by Jacqueline F. Hayes, Assistant Professor (Research) and Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren-Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, and the Center for Weight Management and Diabetes Research. Rhode Island.
Assisting Hayes and Phelan was Gary Foster, WW’s chief scientific officer and adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Lena Wing, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Warren Alpert School of Medicine. Her Noemi Alarcon, who is her project coordinator and researcher at Caltech.
The study evaluated 2,457 WW members who lost an average of 57.9 pounds over 3.5 years. Participant is part of the Center for Health Research’s growing WeightWatchers Global Success Registry and has lost more than 20 pounds, which he has maintained for at least one year. This study is part of an ongoing study in this cohort to assess long-term weight loss maintenance behavior.
Long-term weight loss maintainers who responded to the survey were assigned to three groups. 29% reported gains and losses (“gain-loss”). and 23% reported a gradual recovery (“gain”). The majority of participants (94.9%) were female with a mean age of 60 years. Participants ranged from She’s 49 to She’s 71.
Survey questions included, “What was the maximum weight you recovered before resuming weight loss efforts?” and “What was your main strategy when trying to lose so much weight again?”
Respondents successfully used strategies such as: setting calorie goals; self-weighing and tracking weights; and tracking exercises. ” Compared to Gain group participants, Gain-Lose participants exhibited the following behaviors:
– After a small amount of recovery (less than 8 pounds), weight loss efforts were resumed.
– Sustained weight loss efforts last longer (16 weeks for Gain-Lose and 10 weeks for Gain group).
– Engage in more frequent self-weighing, self-monitoring, and healthy dietary choices.
– Used more psychological coping mechanisms such as self-reinforcement, problem-solving, and restructuring negative thinking.
Researchers say setbacks are inevitable along the journey, but practicing helpful thought styles can keep people on track.
“When the numbers get bigger, it’s like, ‘Oh, this is hopeless. We’re going again,'” Phelan said. “Instead, this group of weight loss maintainers is saying, ‘I got this.’ It’s a setback, but it’s temporary.”
The study builds on her research using validated questionnaires published in Obesity magazine in January 2020 and builds on the benefits of losing weight and gaining weight, as mentioned in the New York Times article How to Lose and Maintain Weight. It extends Phelan’s previous work, which includes a study on the benefits of self-monitoring. To identify novel behavioral and psychological strategies among weight loss maintainers in commercial weight management programs.
WW’s Foster said: “The results of this study show that those who resumed weight loss regained some weight before starting the effort. It confirms that it helps facilitate travel.”
This research was supported by a grant from WW International Inc. Hayes’ research was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
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Suzanne Phelan is Director of Cal Poly’s Center for Health Research and Professor of Kinesiology and Public Health at the College of Science and Mathematics.
Photo credit: Izzy Kelly
October 27, 2022
Contact: Nick Wilson
805-235-8008, nwilso28@calpoly.edu
