N-of-1 study of weight loss maintenance assessing predictors of physical activity, adherence to weight loss plan and weight change.
Behaviour change interventions are effective in supporting individuals to achieve clinically significant weight loss, but weight loss maintenance (WLM) is less often attained. This study examined predictive variables associated with WLM.



N-of-1 study with daily ecological momentary assessment combined with objective measurement of weight and physical activity, collected with wireless devices (Fitbit™) for six months. Eight previously obese adults who had lost over 5% of their body weight in the past year took part. Data were analysed using time series methods.



Predictor variables were based on five theoretical themes: maintenance motives, self-regulation, personal resources, habits, and environmental influences. Dependent variables were: objectively estimated step count and weight, and self-reported WLM plan adherence.



For all participants, daily fluctuations in self-reported adherence to their WLM plan were significantly associated with most of the explanatory variables, including maintenance motivation and satisfaction with outcomes, self-regulation, habit, and stable environment. Personal resources were not a consistent predictor of plan adherence.



This is the first study to assess theoretical predictions of WLM within individuals. WLM is a dynamic process including the interplay of motivation, self-regulation, habit, resources, and perceptions of environmental context. Individuals maintaining their weight have unique psychological profiles which could be accounted for in interventions.
a Faculty of Health Sciences , School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University , Perth , Australia.|b School of Human Health and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University , Perth , Australia.
Dominika
D
Kwasnicka
c Division of Psychology , School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling , Stirling , UK.
Stephan U
SU
Dombrowski
d UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK.
Martin
M
White
e Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.|f Fuse, UKCRC Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.
Falko F
FF
Sniehotta
D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D000068356:Self-Control; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs
behaviour change maintenance; n-of-1 study; theory; weight loss maintenance