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The association between previous success with weight loss through dietary change and success in a lifestyle modification program

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Abstract

Prior work has yielded mixed results regarding the association between previous weight loss and success in a current weight loss attempt. The present study evaluated differences in baseline psychosocial processes, changes in these over time, and weight loss during a yearlong behavioral weight loss program between individuals who have and have not previously been successful losing weight through self-regulating dietary intake. Individuals with prior success had greater weight losses over time than those without. Differences in baseline and change over time in some facets of motivation and self-efficacy were observed, but only differences in attendance accounted for differential weight loss. Prior success with dietary self-regulation may predict better adherence to and success in behavioral weight control programs. Evaluating the type of weight control efforts that have previously helped induce weight losses may help to better match individuals to treatments likely to yield success.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases as the funding source (R01 DK092374; PI: Butryn).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Stratton 119, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Stephanie G. Kerrigan, Margaret Clark, Alexandra Convertino, Evan M. Forman & Meghan L. Butryn

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  1. Stephanie G. Kerrigan
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  2. Margaret Clark
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  3. Alexandra Convertino
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  4. Evan M. Forman
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  5. Meghan L. Butryn
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Correspondence to Stephanie G. Kerrigan.

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Conflict of interest

Stephanie G. Kerrigan, Margaret Clark, Alexandra Convertino, Evan Forman and Meghan L. Butryn declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Human and animal rights and Informed consent

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Kerrigan, S.G., Clark, M., Convertino, A. et al. The association between previous success with weight loss through dietary change and success in a lifestyle modification program. J Behav Med 41, 152–159 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-017-9883-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-017-9883-6

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