Motivation and its relationship to adherence to self-monitoring and weight loss in a 16-week Internet behavioral weight loss intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To examine changes in motivation and the relationship of motivation to adherence to self-monitoring and weight loss in a 16-week Internet behavioral weight-loss intervention.


METHODS
Two-group randomized design.


METHODS
This study was conducted over the Internet.


METHODS
Sixty-six women, ages 22-65, with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 40, and with a home computer with Internet access, participated.


METHODS
These data are from an Internet behavioral weight-loss program in which all participants received a face-to-face initial session followed by the 16-week Internet program.


METHODS
Adherence to self-monitoring and weight loss were the main outcome measures.


METHODS
Linear regression and mediation analysis using the Baron and Kenny method were conducted.


RESULTS
Autonomous motivation increased initially and remained high for those who ultimately achieved a 5% weight loss, but declined over time for participants who did not achieve a 5% weight loss. Autonomous motivation at 4 weeks was a predictor of adherence to self-monitoring and 16-week weight loss. Adherence mediated the relationship between autonomous motivation and weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that autonomous motivation may be a promising intervention target for promoting program procedure adherence and weight loss.
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. Kelly.webber@uky.edu
Kelly H
KH
Webber
Deborah F
DF
Tate
Dianne S
DS
Ward
J Michael
JM
Bowling
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult