Mood, weight, and physical activity among obese individuals enrolled in a long-term weight-loss program: Trajectories and associations with gender

Objective: To examine the trajectories of mood, weight and physical activity, and associations between mood, weight, and gender, among 213 obese individuals.Methods: Prospective, longitudinal design. Assessments at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months of Profile of Mood States, Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire, and weight.Results: Total mood disturbance decreased from baseline to 6 months, with no change thereafter. Weight decreased from baseline to 6 to 12 months, and increased from 12 to 18 months. Physical activity increased from baseline to 6 months, and 12 to 18 months. Increased physical activity predicted greater vigor and less fatigue over time. Females high in distress at 6 months lost less weight than females low in distress and at 18 months gained more weight than those low in distress. There were no such associations among males.Conclusion: The trajectories of mood, weight and physical activity were synchronous only in the short-term. Distress monitoring, targeted to females who relapse, may be warranted. Copyright Internet Scientific Publications, LLC., 1996 to 2010.