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Social Cognitive Changes Following Weight Loss and Physical Activity Interventions in Obese, Older Adults in Poor Cardiovascular Health

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

The study objectives were to determine (a) the effects of group-mediated cognitive–behavioral interventions on change in performance self-efficacy, satisfaction with function, and with appearance among older, overweight/obese adults in poor cardiovascular health and (b) whether self-efficacy mediated change in 400-m walk time.

Methods

This translational, randomized controlled trial of physical activity and weight loss was conducted within community Cooperative Extension Centers. Participants were randomized to three intervention arms: Physical Activity, Weight Loss + Physical Activity, or a Successful Aging education control.

Results

Across 18 months, the Weight Loss + Physical Activity intervention demonstrated greater improvements in self-efficacy, satisfaction with function, and appearance versus other trial arms. Physical Activity intervention participants also experienced significant improvements in self-efficacy and satisfaction with function versus those in Successful Aging. Self-efficacy mediated 400-m walk time at 18 months.

Conclusions

Both group-mediated cognitive–behavioral interventions yielded desirable improvements in social cognitions and preserved mobility improvements post-intervention.

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Acknowledgments

Both the first and second authors contributed equally to the preparation of this manuscript and consider first authorship as joint. Support for this study was provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant (HL076441-01A1), the National Institutes for Aging grant (P30 AG021332), and the General Clinical Research Center grant (M01-RR007122).

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Lawrence Brawley Ph.D

  2. Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, P.O. Box 7868, Winston-Salem, NC, 27109, USA

    W. Jack Rejeski Ph.D & Jill E. Gaukstern MS

  3. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    W. Jack Rejeski Ph.D

  4. Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Walter T. Ambrosius Ph.D

Authors
  1. Lawrence Brawley Ph.D
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  2. W. Jack Rejeski Ph.D
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  3. Jill E. Gaukstern MS
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  4. Walter T. Ambrosius Ph.D
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Jack Rejeski Ph.D.

Additional information

Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00119795

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Brawley, L., Rejeski, W.J., Gaukstern, J.E. et al. Social Cognitive Changes Following Weight Loss and Physical Activity Interventions in Obese, Older Adults in Poor Cardiovascular Health. ann. behav. med. 44, 353–364 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9390-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9390-5

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