Locus of control and weight reduction.
The objective of this study was to determine if locus of control orientation is predictive for weight loss among participants in a behaviour modification weight reduction programme. The subjects completed a locus of control questionnaire consisting of 40 questions before starting the programme and again after 1 year. Forty-one participants started the programme, 28 remained after 1 year. Their weight loss was significant (P < 0.001) and associated with an internal locus of control orientation (P < 0.05). The findings suggest that different weight reduction activities could be offered depending on the person's locus of control orientation. Participants with an internal orientation could be offered a standard weight reduction programme. Others, with a more external locus of control orientation, could be offered an adapted programme, which also focused on and encouraged the participants' internal orientation.
Adolfsson
Birgitta
B
Department of Medicine, Obesity Unit, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Norrtulls Sjukhus, Norrtullsgatan 14, 113 45 Stockholm, Sweden. birgitta.adolfsson@medhs.ki.se
Andersson
Ingalena
I
Elofsson
Stig
S
Rössner
Stephan
S
Undén
Anna-Lena
AL
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D009949:Orientation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D015431:Weight Loss