Patterns of Weight Change: The Interval 6 to 10 Years after Initial Weight Loss in a Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program

29 men and 82 women who had achieved at least a 15-lb. weight loss in a 20-wk. cognitive-behavioral treatment program for obesity were asked 6 to 10 yr. after treatment about their current weights and January 1 weights for the past five years. Four types of weight change indices were then developed to ascertain whether or not the patients had maintained their postprogram weight losses since leaving treatment. Comparisons of pre- and postprogram mean weight differences indicated that the patients had gained an average of 7.15 lb. (3.24 kg) by 1983, but there had not been a mean increase in weight since an earlier follow-up in 1978. Importantly, 32.4% reported 1983 weights below their postprogram weights, and there were no mean differences between the sexes with respect to weight changes for either 1978 or 1983. A weight index based upon percentages of weight gain since leaving treatment indicated that 40.5% had gained back more than 67% of weight that they had lost during treatment. Inspection of 90 patients' weight fluctuations over the past five years above or below their postprogram weights showed 25 distinct patterns. Each of the four weight-change indices gave different perspectives about the patients' abilities to manage their weights over time. The complexity of employing different weight-change indices for evaluating the long-term efficacy of cognitive-behavioral treatment programs for obesity was discussed.