title: Weight loss treatment and psychological well-being: a review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Research suggests that weight loss treatment generally benefits psychological well-being but these effects have never been quantitatively reviewed. A meta-analysis of 117 weight loss treatment tests showed that weight loss treatment was associated with lowered depression and increased self-esteem. Treatment type moderated treatment effects on depression and self-esteem. Actual weight loss moderated treatment effects on self-esteem but not depression; only treatments that produced actual weight loss predicted increased self-esteem whereas improvements in depression were independent of weight loss. The clinical implications of the findings and the possible causal relationships among weight, depression and self-esteem are discussed.
authors.affiliation: St John Fisher College, Rochester, NY 14618, USA. bblaine@sjfc.edu
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Blaine
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodman
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss