title: Weight control behaviors of highly successful weight loss maintainers: the Portuguese Weight Control Registry.
abstract: To describe key behaviors reported by participants in the Portuguese Weight Control Registry and to determine associations between these behaviors and weight loss maintenance. A total of 388 adults participated in this cross-sectional study. Assessments included demographic information, weight history, weight loss and weight maintenance strategies, dietary intake, and physical activity. Participants lost on average 18 kg, which they had maintained for ~28 months. Their average dietary intake was 2199 kcal/day, with 33 % of energy coming from fat. About 78 % of participants engaged in levels of moderate-plus-vigorous physical activity exceeding 150 min/week (51 % above 250 min/week), with men accumulating 82 more minutes than women (p < 0.05). The most frequently reported strategies for both weight loss and maintenance were keeping healthy foods at home, consuming vegetables regularly, and having daily breakfast. Greater weight loss maintenance was associated with higher levels of physical activity, walking, weight self-monitoring, establishing specific goals, and with reduced portion size use, reduced consumption of carbohydrates, and increased consumption of protein, (p < 0.05). Results indicate that weight loss maintenance is possible through the adoption of a nutritionally-balanced diet and regular participation in physical activity, but also suggest that adopting different (and, to a degree, individualized) set of behavioral strategies is key for achieving success.
authors: Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal.
authors: Inês
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1638-8551
authors: I
authors: Santos
authors: Universidade Europeia, Quinta do Bom Nome, Estrada da Correia 53, 1500-210, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Paulo N
authors: PN
authors: Vieira
authors: Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal.
authors: Marlene N
authors: MN
authors: Silva
authors: Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal.
authors: Luís B
authors: LB
authors: Sardinha
authors: Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal. pteixeira@fmh.ulisboa.pt.
authors: Pedro J
authors: PJ
authors: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal; D012042:Registries; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Behaviors; Strategies; Weight Control Registry; Weight loss; Weight maintenance