Psychosocial factors influencing the effectiveness of weight loss programs

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kira Raskina
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Wonn ◽  
Joetta Khan

ABSTRACT Introduction Overweight and obesity rates continue to rise among U.S. Army soldiers, which impacts their overall readiness status and puts them at greater risk for musculoskeletal injury and development of chronic disease. To address the concern with obesity and ensure that Soldiers are meeting body composition standards, the Army offers Fit for Performance-Weight Loss Strategies curriculum, a program of standardized material on nutrition and physical activity presented over six 1-hour sessions. This study aimed to evaluate the success and attrition of weight loss programs using the Fit for Performance curriculum in an Army setting among TRICARE regions. Materials and Methods This retrospective cohort study consolidated data on participants in weight loss programs using the Fit for Performance curriculum. It examines attrition rates, weight loss, change in body mass index (BMI), factors influencing weight loss, and attrition based on geographical location. Statistical analysis was completed using R Core Team software, version 3.6.1, for t-tests, linear regression, and analysis of variance. Significance was set at P ≤ .05. This study was determined to be exempt by the Walter Reed National Military Hospital Institutional Review Board. Results In total, 8,336 U.S. Army soldiers (80% male, mean age = 26.2 ± 6.9 years) participated in the program. Attrition rates were high (96.4%). Those who attended 4-6 sessions lost significantly more weight than those who attended 1-3 sessions (0.72 kg [1.60 lbs], P < .001); however, weight lost was not clinically significant. Sex, age, and number of sessions attended influenced to the amount of weight lost, but only accounted for 4% of the variation. Among TRICARE regions there was a significant difference in attrition rates, with those in the Western (1.2 sessions, P < .001) and Overseas (1.6 sessions, P < .001) regions attending statistically fewer sessions than those in the Eastern region. Conclusions Consistent attendance in a weight loss program promotes changes in BMI, which may improve the health of the force. However, the factors influencing these changes are unclear. The results indicate opportunities to re-examine current processes and the program elements to encourage increased or complete participation and determine if program element changes are warranted for the Fit for Performance-Weight Loss Strategies Program. Attrition rates were high, indicating opportunities to research reasons for attendance and attrition in the future. Finally, these findings highlight an opportunity for educating the military leadership on the increased success with increased attendance.


2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 367-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ortega ◽  
Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Aparicio ◽  
Marín-Arias ◽  
López-Sobaler

The fight against excess weight and obesity is a health priority. The aim of this study was to analyze the anthropometric changes induced by two weight control programs based on approximating the diet to the theoretical ideal (increasing the consumption of foods with the largest differences between the recommended and observed intakes: cereals and vegetables – for which a minimum of 6 and 3 servings/day are recommended, respectively). The study subjects were 57 Spanish women with a body-mass index (BMI) of 24–35 kg/m², all of whom were randomly assigned to one of two slightly hypocaloric diets for a six-week period: diet V, in which the consumption of greens and vegetables was increased, or diet C, in which the consumption of cereals was increased. Dietetic and anthropometric data were collected at the start of the study and again at two and six weeks. The dietary intervention approximated the subjects’ energy provision from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to those recommended. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) improved with both diets. Reductions in body weight, BMI, and the amount of body fat (kg) were also achieved with both diets. Weight loss was 1.56 ± 0.93 kg and 1.02 ± 0.55 kg at two weeks with diet C and V respectively, and 2.8 ± 1.4 kg and 2.0 ± 1.3 kg at six weeks (p < 0.05). Approximating the diet to the theoretical ideal by increasing the consumption of vegetables or cereals may therefore be of use in weight control. In terms of weight loss and the improvement of the diet quality (energy profile and HEI), diet C was significantly more effective than diet V.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110370
Author(s):  
Hannah Bessette ◽  
MinKyoung Song ◽  
Karen S. Lyons ◽  
Sydnee Stoyles ◽  
Christopher S. Lee ◽  
...  

In this study, we assessed the influences of change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)/sedentary time (ST) of caregivers participating in a commercial weight-loss program on their children’s change in MVPA/ST. Data from 29 caregivers and their children were collected over 8 weeks. We used multivariable linear regression to assess associations of changes in caregiver’s percent of time spent in MVPA/ST and changes in their child’s percent of time spent in MVPA/ST. For caregivers that decreased body mass index (BMI) over 8 weeks, changes in caregivers’ MVPA was strongly associated with the change in children’s MVPA (β = 2.61 [95% CI: 0.45, 4.77]) compared to caregivers who maintained/increased BMI (β = 0.24 [–2.16, 2.64]). Changes in caregivers’ ST was strongly associated with changes in children’s ST (β = 2.42 [1.02, 3.81]) compared to caregivers who maintained/increased BMI (β = 0.35 [–0.45, 1.14]). Findings reinforce encouraging caregivers to enroll in weight-loss programs for the benefit of their children as well as for themselves.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document