title: Self-Expansion is Associated with Better Adherence and Obesity Treatment Outcomes in Adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have shown that self-expansion (e.g., increasing positive self-content via engaging in novel, rewarding activities) is associated with smoking cessation and attenuated cigarette-cue reactivity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined whether self-expansion is associated with better adherence, weight loss, and physical activity (PA) outcomes within a weight loss intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants from Shape Up Rhode Island 2012, a Web-based community wellness initiative, took part in a randomized controlled trial that involved a 12-week behavioral weight loss intervention [1]. At baseline and post-intervention, objective weights and self-reported self-expansion and PA were obtained from 239 participants. Treatment adherence was assessed objectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-expansion during treatment was significantly associated with percent weight loss including clinically significant weight loss (i.e., 5 %), minutes of PA, and treatment adherence. These results held after controlling for relevant covariates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to show that self-expansion is associated with better behavioral weight loss outcomes including weight loss, adherence, and PA. These results suggest that self-expansion is a promising novel target for future research which could inform health interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Ave, Stop 8112, Pocatello, ID, 83209, USA. xuxiao@isu.edu.
authors.forename: Xiaomeng
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3695-4845
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Tricia M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Leahey
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boguszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krupel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mailloux
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Rena R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs
keywords: Adherence; Obesity; Physical activity; Self-expansion; Weight loss