title: Weight loss motivations: a latent class analysis approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify subgroups of adults with respect to weight loss motivations and assess factors associated with subgroup membership.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey among 414 overweight/ obese employees in 12 Massachusetts high schools was conducted. Latent class analysis (LCA) defined distinct weight loss motivation classes. Multinomial logistic regression assessed participant characteristics with class membership.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three classes emerged: improving health; improving health and looking/feeling better; and improving health, looking/feeling, better and improving personal/social life. Compared to class 1, class 2 was more likely to be female and younger and class 3 was more likely to be female, younger, have children at home, and perceive themselves as very over-weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings can inform targeted weight loss interventions.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA. Stephenie.Lemon@umassmed.edu.
authors.forename: Stephenie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lemon
authors.affiliation: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Monica L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: The Winstar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magner
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Estabrook
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Druker
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015431:Weight Loss