A satisfaction enhancement intervention for long-term weight loss.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of two satisfaction enhancement interventions for weight control on behavioral and weight changes among individuals in a 15-month weight loss program. The primary hypothesis was that long-term weight loss would be improved by an intervention that enhances perceived satisfaction with achieved outcomes.


METHODS
Men and women (331) were randomized to weight control programs comprised of diet and exercise counseling and a cognitive intervention that emphasized either comparing experienced outcomes with expectation of ideal outcomes or comparing experienced outcomes with pretreatment status. The latter was expected to cause greater satisfaction with weight loss progress.


RESULTS
The intervention manipulation was not successful in influencing cognitions, satisfaction, or weight change.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential for intervening on satisfaction per se for the purpose of achieving greater or more sustained weight loss remains to be demonstrated.
Jeffery
Robert W
RW
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015, USA. jeffery@epi.umn.edu
Linde
Jennifer A
JA
Finch
Emily A
EA
Rothman
Alexander J
AJ
King
Christie M
CM
D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*