Are breaks in daily self-weighing associated with weight gain?
Regular self-weighing is linked to successful weight loss and maintenance. However, an individual's self-weighing frequency typically varies over time. This study examined temporal associations between time differences of consecutive weight measurements and the corresponding weight changes by analysing longitudinal self-weighing data, including 2,838 weight observations from 40 individuals attending a health-promoting programme. The relationship between temporal weighing frequency and corresponding weight change was studied primarily using a linear mixed effects model. Weight change between consecutive weight measurements was associated with the corresponding time difference (β = 0.021% per day, p<0.001). Weight loss took place during periods of daily self-weighing, whereas breaks longer than one month posed a risk of weight gain. The findings emphasize that missing data in weight management studies with a weight-monitoring component may be associated with non-adherence to the weight loss programme and an early sign of weight gain.
Department of Signal Processing, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.
Elina E
EE
Helander
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tampere, Finland.
Anna-Leena
AL
Vuorinen
Charles S. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America.
Brian
B
Wansink
Department of Signal Processing, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland; VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tampere, Finland.
Ilkka K J
IK
Korhonen
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D015430:Weight Gain