Change in body image and psychological well-being during behavioral obesity treatment: Associations with weight loss and maintenance.
This study reports on outcomes from a behavioral obesity treatment program, evaluating if treatment-related changes in body image and psychological well-being are predictors of weight change during treatment and after follow-up. Participants were 142 overweight/obese women (BMI=30.2+/-3.7kg/m(2); age=38.3+/-5.8 years) participants in a behavioral treatment program consisting of a 4-month treatment period and a 12-month follow-up. Psychosocial variables improved during treatment and these changes were correlated with 4-month weight reduction. Short-term changes in body size dissatisfaction (p=.002) and mood (p=.003) predicted long-term weight loss. Additional results suggest that there might be a predictive role of short-term changes in body size dissatisfaction and self-esteem on long-term weight loss after accounting for initial weight change (p<.028). We conclude that, along with weight changes, cognitive and affect-related processes influenced during obesity treatment may be related long-term success, in some cases independently of initial weight loss.
Palmeira
António L
AL
University Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal. antonio.palmeira@ulusofona.pt
Branco
Teresa L
TL
Martins
Sandra C
SC
Minderico
Cláudia S
CS
Silva
Marlene N
MN
Vieira
Paulo N
PN
Barata
José T
JT
Serpa
Sidónio O
SO
Sardinha
Luís B
LB
Teixeira
Pedro J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*