title: Daily self-weighing and adverse psychological outcomes: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite evidence that daily self-weighing is an effective strategy for weight control, concerns remain regarding the potential for negative psychological consequences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the study was to examine the impact of a daily self-weighing weight-loss intervention on relevant psychological constructs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 6-month RCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample (N=91) included overweight men and women in the Chapel Hill NC area.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February and August 2011, participants were randomly assigned to a daily self-weighing intervention or delayed-intervention control group. The 6-month intervention included daily self-weighing for self-regulation of diet and exercise behaviors using an e-scale that transmitted weights to a study website. Weekly e-mailed lessons and tailored feedback on daily self-weighing adherence and weight-loss progress were provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-weighing frequency was measured throughout the study using e-scales. Weight was measured in-clinic at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Psychological outcomes were assessed via self-report at the same time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2012, using linear mixed models and generalized estimating equation models, there were no significant differences between groups in depressive symptoms, anorectic cognitions, disinhibition, susceptibility to hunger, and binge eating. At 6 months, there was a significant group X time interaction for body dissatisfaction (p=0.007) and dietary restraint (p<0.001), with the intervention group reporting lower body dissatisfaction and greater dietary restraint compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate that a weight-loss intervention that focuses on daily self-weighing does not cause adverse psychological outcomes. This suggests that daily self-weighing is an effective and safe weight-control strategy among overweight adults attempting to lose weight.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT01369004.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill; Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill; Duke Obesity Prevention Program, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, North Carolina. Electronic address: dori.steinberg@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Dori M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill; Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill; Duke Obesity Prevention Program, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Deborah F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.affiliation: Duke Obesity Prevention Program, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, North Carolina; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Gary G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill; Duke Obesity Prevention Program, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ennett
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Samuel-Hodge
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Dianne S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept