title: Replication and Extension of the Weight Loss For Life Community-Based Treatment Protocol.
abstract: Maintaining weight-loss beyond 6-9 months within behavioral treatments has been problematic. However, a social cognitive theory-driven, community-based curriculum emphasizing the generalization of physical activity-related self-regulation, to eating-related self-regulation (phase 1 treatment; n = 55), demonstrated success at both inducing lost weight over its initial 6 months, and maintaining that loss through month 24. The present replication study contrasted those outcomes with a phase 2 version of the year-long treatment (n = 74) that added a follow-up component during year 2 consisting of 5 brief phone interactions to reinforce self-regulatory skills. Participants were all women with obesity (body mass index 30-40 kg/m2; mean age = 48 years). In phase 2, the mean weight loss of 6.3% during baseline-month 6, and regain of 0.7% through month 24, did not significantly differ from phase 1. However, phase 2 methods were associated with significantly better retention of improvements in self-regulation, fruit/vegetable intake, and physical activity. For phase 2 results, second-year change in fruit/vegetable consumption completely mediated the significant relationship between self-regulation and weight change, and change in physical activity completely mediated the significant relationship between self-regulation and weight change, over the 2-year study. Findings suggest the importance of moderate physical activity and more intensive follow-up focused on self-regulation processes.
authors.affiliation: a YMCA of Metro Atlanta and Kennesaw State University.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Annesi
authors.affiliation: b YMCA of Metro Atlanta.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Unruh-Rewkowski
authors.affiliation: c Kennesaw State University.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mareno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000068959:Body Weight Maintenance; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: obesity; physical activity; self-regulation; treatment; weight loss