title: Weighing every day matters: daily weighing improves weight loss and adoption of weight control behaviors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Daily weighing is emerging as the recommended self-weighing frequency for weight loss. This is likely because it improves adoption of weight control behaviors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether weighing every day is associated with greater adoption of weight control behaviors compared with less frequent weighing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal analysis of a previously conducted 6-month randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overweight men and women in Chapel Hill, NC, participated in the intervention arm (N=47).
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention focused on daily weighing for weight loss using an e-scale that transmitted weights to a study website, along with weekly e-mailed lessons and tailored feedback on daily weighing adherence and weight loss progress.
  
  
  METHODS
  We gathered objective data on self-weighing frequency from the e-scales. At baseline and 6 months, weight change was measured in the clinic and weight control behaviors (total items=37), dietary strategies, and calorie expenditure from physical activity were assessed via questionnaires. Calorie intake was assessed using an online 24-hour recall tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used χ(2) tests to examine variation in discrete weight control behaviors and linear regression models to examine differences in weight, dietary strategies, and calorie intake and expenditure by self-weighing frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one percent of participants weighed every day (n=24) over 6 months. The average self-weighing frequency among those weighing less than daily (n=23) was 5.4±1.2 days per week. Daily weighers lost significantly more weight compared with those weighing less than daily (mean difference=-6.1 kg; 95% CI -10.2 to -2.1; P=0.004). The total number of weight control behaviors adopted was greater among daily weighers (17.6±7.6 vs 11.2±6.4; P=0.004). There were no differences by self-weighing frequency in dietary strategies, calorie intake, or calorie expenditure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weighing every day led to greater adoption of weight control behaviors and produced greater weight loss compared with weighing most days of the week. This further implicates daily weighing as an effective weight loss tool.
authors: Dori M
authors: DM
authors: Steinberg
authors: Gary G
authors: GG
authors: Bennett
authors: Sandy
authors: S
authors: Askew
authors: Deborah F
authors: DF
authors: Tate
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Daily weighing; Dietary change; Obesity; Self-monitoring; Weight loss