Patterns of self-weighing behavior and weight change in a weight loss trial.
Regular self-weighing has been associated with weight loss and maintenance in adults enrolled in a behavioral weight loss intervention; however, few studies have examined the patterns of adherence to a self-weighing protocol. The study aims were to (1) identify patterns of self-weighing behavior; and (2) examine adherence to energy intake and step goals and weight change by self-weighing patterns.



This was a secondary analysis of self-monitoring and assessment weight data from a 12-month behavioral weight loss intervention study. Each participant was given a scale that was Wi-Fi-enabled and transmitted the date-stamped weight data to a central server. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct classes of trajectories based on the number of days participants self-weighed over 51 weeks.



The sample (N=148) was 90.5% female, 81.1% non-Hispanic white, with a mean (s.d.) age of 51.3 (10.1) years, had completed an average of 16.4 (2.8) years of education and had mean body mass index of 34.1 (4.6) kg m(-2). Three patterns of self-weighing were identified: high/consistent (n=111, 75.0% self-weighed over 6 days per week regularly); moderate/declined (n=24, 16.2% declined from 4-5 to 2 days per week gradually); and minimal/declined (n=13, 8.8% declined from 5-6 to 0 days per week after week 33). The high/consistent group achieved greater weight loss than either the moderate/declined and minimal/declined groups at 6 months (-10.19%±5.78%, -5.45%±4.73% and -2.00%±4.58%) and 12 months (-9.90%±8.16%, -5.62%±6.28% and 0.65%±3.58%), respectively (P<0.001). The high/consistent group had a greater mean number days per week of adherence to calorie intake goal or step goal but not higher than the moderate/declined group.



This is the first study to reveal distinct temporal patterns of self-weighing behavior. The majority of participants were able to sustain a habit of daily self-weighing with regular self-weighing leading to weight loss and maintenance as well as adherence to energy intake and step goals.
William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
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Zheng
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Burke
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Danford
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Ewing
University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Terry
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Sereika
D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs