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Longitudinal Weight Loss Patterns and their Behavioral and Demographic Associations

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Identification of weight change patterns may allow tailored interventions to improve long-term weight loss.

Purpose

To identify patterns of weight change over 18 months, and assess participant characteristics and intervention adherence factors associated with weight change patterns in a sample of 359 overweight/obese adults.

Methods

Weight loss (0–6 months) was achieved with reduced energy intake and increased physical activity (PA). Maintenance (7–18 months) provided adequate energy to maintain weight and continued PA.

Results

Latent profile analysis identified three weight change profiles. During weight loss/maintenance, participants in profiles 2 and 3 (18-month weight loss ∼14 %) attended more behavioral sessions and performed more PA compared with profile 1 (18-month weight loss <1 %). Self-efficacy for both weight management and exercise barriers were higher in profiles 2 and 3 compared with profile 1 following weight loss and during maintenance.

Conclusion

Weight change patterns can be identified and are associated with both participant characteristics and intervention adherence.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank HMR Weight Management Service Corp. for their contribution to the project.

Funding

National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease R01-DK76063 (Donnelly) and National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease F32-DK103493 (Szabo-Reed)

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Research Institute, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA

    Amanda N Szabo-Reed, Lauren Ptomey, Erik Willis, Matt Schubert, Richard Washburn & Joseph E. Donnelly

  2. Institute for Measurement, Methodology, Analysis and Policy, Texas Tech University, Box 43150, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA

    Jaehoon Lee

Authors
  1. Amanda N Szabo-Reed
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  2. Jaehoon Lee
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  3. Lauren Ptomey
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  6. Richard Washburn
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  7. Joseph E. Donnelly
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda N Szabo-Reed.

Additional information

Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01095458

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Szabo-Reed, A.N., Lee, J., Ptomey, L. et al. Longitudinal Weight Loss Patterns and their Behavioral and Demographic Associations. ann. behav. med. 50, 147–156 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9740-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9740-1

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