title: Differences in motivations and weight loss behaviors in young adults and older adults in the National Weight Control Registry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to compare young adults (YA) and older adults (OA) in the National Weight Control Registry on motivations for weight loss and weight-loss behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 2,964, 82% female, 94% White, BMI = 24.8 ± 4.4) were divided into two age groups (18-35 vs. 36-50) and compared on motivations, strategies for weight loss, diet, physical activity (PA), and the three-factor eating questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  YA were 28.6% of the sample (n = 848). YA and OA achieved similar weight losses (P = 0.38), but duration of maintenance was less in YA (43 vs. 58 months, P < 0.001). YA were more likely to cite appearance and social motivations for weight loss, were less motivated by health, and were less likely to report a medical trigger for weight loss (P's < 0.001). YA were more likely to use exercise classes and to lose weight on their own, and less likely to use a commercial program (P's < 0.001). YA reported engaging in more high-intensity PA (P = 0.001). There were no group differences in total calories consumed (P = 0.47), or percent calories from fat (P = 0.97), alcohol (P = 0.52), or sugar-sweetened beverages (P = 0.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  YA successful weight losers (SWL) are motivated more by appearance and social influences than OA, and physical activity appears to play an important role in their weight-loss efforts. The differences reported by YA and OA SWL should be considered when developing weight-loss programs for YA.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. jlarose@vcu.edu
authors: Jessica Gokee
authors: JG
authors: LaRose
authors: Tricia M
authors: TM
authors: Leahey
authors: James O
authors: JO
authors: Hill
authors: Rena R
authors: RR
authors: Wing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
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