Weight loss goals and treatment outcomes among overweight men and women enrolled in a weight loss trial

J. A. Linde; R. W. Jeffery; R. L. Levy; N. P. Pronk; R. G. Boyle

doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802990

Weight loss goals and treatment outcomes among overweight men and women enrolled in a weight loss trial

J. A. Linde, R. W. Jeffery, R. L. Levy, N. P. Pronk, R. G. Boyle

Epidemiology & Community Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Participants in weight loss programs typically set unrealistically high weight loss goals that some believe are detrimental to success. This study examined outcomes associated with goal and ideal body mass index (BMI). Participants (N = 1801) were enrolled in a weight loss trial comprised of low-intensity mail or telephone interventions vs usual care. Goal and ideal weight losses were assessed by asking participants how many pounds they expect to lose in the program (goal) and how much they would like to weigh (ideal). Goal and ideal weight losses were unrealistically high (men: -16 and -19%, women: -21 and -27%). For women, less realistic goals were associated with greater weight loss at 24 months. Goals were not associated with participation or weight loss for men. Results are more supportive of the idea that higher goals motivate women to lose weight than of the hypothesis that high goals undermine effort.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1002-1005
Number of pages	4
Journal	International Journal of Obesity
Volume	29
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802990
State	Published - Aug 2005

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant 1R01-DK53826.

Keywords

Goals
Men
Treatment outcomes
Weight loss
Women

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title = "Weight loss goals and treatment outcomes among overweight men and women enrolled in a weight loss trial",

abstract = "Participants in weight loss programs typically set unrealistically high weight loss goals that some believe are detrimental to success. This study examined outcomes associated with goal and ideal body mass index (BMI). Participants (N = 1801) were enrolled in a weight loss trial comprised of low-intensity mail or telephone interventions vs usual care. Goal and ideal weight losses were assessed by asking participants how many pounds they expect to lose in the program (goal) and how much they would like to weigh (ideal). Goal and ideal weight losses were unrealistically high (men: -16 and -19%, women: -21 and -27%). For women, less realistic goals were associated with greater weight loss at 24 months. Goals were not associated with participation or weight loss for men. Results are more supportive of the idea that higher goals motivate women to lose weight than of the hypothesis that high goals undermine effort.",

keywords = "Goals, Men, Treatment outcomes, Weight loss, Women",

author = "Linde, {J. A.} and Jeffery, {R. W.} and Levy, {R. L.} and Pronk, {N. P.} and Boyle, {R. G.}",

note = "Funding Information: This research was supported by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant 1R01-DK53826.",

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doi = "10.1038/sj.ijo.0802990",

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AU - Jeffery, R. W.

AU - Levy, R. L.

AU - Pronk, N. P.

AU - Boyle, R. G.

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Weight loss goals and treatment outcomes among overweight men and women enrolled in a weight loss trial

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access

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