Behaviors and psychological states associated with transitions from regaining to losing weight.

OBJECTIVE

Little is known about week-to-week recovery from regains following a behavioral weight loss intervention (BWLI). This study examined changes in behaviors, cognitions, and moods associated with transitioning from weight regain to weight loss during the nine-month weight loss maintenance period after a three-month Internet-based BWLI.

METHOD

Participants ( = 68) self-weighed daily via "smart" scales and answered 40 weekly questionnaires about their weight-related behaviors and psychological states. Mixed models were used to (a) determine whether weight gain in a given week predicted changes in weight, behaviors (e.g., self-monitoring), and psychological states (e.g., mood, temptation) the following week and to (b) compare back-to-back weeks when individuals recovered from weight gain (gained in the first week and lost in the second) versus those in which they gained both weeks.

RESULTS

Weight gain in a given week predicted greater weight gain and greater report of behaviors and psychological states associated with weight gain the following week. Back-to-back weeks when individuals switched from gaining to losing were few (5%) compared with weeks when individuals continued gaining (60%). Switching from gaining to losing was associated with greater physical activity during the initial weight gain week and greater self-reported behaviors/cognitions consistent with weight loss (e.g., greater calorie self-monitoring, greater importance of "staying on track") during the following week.

CONCLUSIONS

Engagement in more weight loss consistent behaviors and more favorable ratings of key psychological variables were associated with the rare shifts from gaining to losing. Future research should investigate interventions to help individuals quickly recover from weight regain. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).