Research Notes

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61287/1/S_and_D-Spring_2008.pd

An evaluation of daily weight monitoring as a method of weight gain prevention

Objective: Despite significant efforts to reduce obesity, there remains a great need to address the problem on a population level. Thus, it is imperative that interventions be developed that are cost-effective and can be widely disseminated. One group of individuals who appear to be at high risk for weight gain is young adults. In the past, daily weight monitoring has shown a preventative effect in normal weight college students. The current study aimed to replicate and extend these findings by testing the effects of weight monitoring in normal and overweight young adults. Method: College females in the normal and overweight range were randomly assigned to an assessment-only control group, or to an intervention group who monitored their weight daily for 8 weeks and received simple online feedback about their weight trajectory. Results: No statistically significant effect of group assignment on weight change was observed, however, the control group gained more weight on average and a significant effect may have been detected with a larger sample. Of those who gained more than 1 kg, there were no significant differences in which group they had been assigned to. No significant changes in cognitive or behavioral variables were observed as a result of daily weighing. A measure of healthy eating behaviors at baseline was the only measure associated with less weight gain across conditions. Discussion: Though the current study did not reveal a statistically significant effect of daily weight monitoring on weight gain prevention, the intervention was also not found to be harmful in normal or overweight individuals. Individuals with the highest weight gains were equally distributed across conditions, suggesting that for individuals who are most susceptible, daily weight monitoring may not be sufficient to prevent weight gain. Future research with larger samples is needed to fully elucidate the effects of weight monitoring and how it might be combined with other interventions for those most at risk for future weight gain.Ph.D., Clinical Psychology -- Drexel University, 201

Research Notes

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61287/1/S_and_D-Spring_2008.pd

Research Notes

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61288/1/S_and_D-Fall_2008.pd