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Behavioral and Psychological Factors Affecting Weight Loss Success

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

There is a large variability between individuals in the weight loss response to any given diet treatment, which fuels interest into personalized or precision nutrition. Although most efforts are directed toward identifying biological or metabolic factors, several behavioral and psychological factors can also be responsible for some of this interindividual variability.

Recent Findings

There are many factors that can influence the response to dietary weight loss interventions, including factors related to eating behavior (emotional eating, disinhibition, restraint, perceived stress), behaviors and societal norms related to age and sex, psychological and personal factors (motivation, self-efficacy, locus of control, self-concept), and major life events.

Summary

The success of a weight loss intervention can be influenced by many psychological and behavioral constructs and not merely by physiological factors such as biology and genetics. These factors are difficult to capture accurately and are often overlooked. Future weight loss studies should consider assessing such factors to better understand the underlying reasons for the large interindividual variability to weight loss therapy.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

EEQ:

Emotional Eater Questionnaire

TFEQ:

Three-factor Eating Questionnaire

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Kristina Pigsborg, Stefano De Dominicis & Faidon Magkos

  2. Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK

    Anastasia Z. Kalea

  3. Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK

    Anastasia Z. Kalea

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  1. Kristina Pigsborg
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  3. Stefano De Dominicis
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  4. Faidon Magkos
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Correspondence to Kristina Pigsborg or Faidon Magkos.

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Pigsborg, K., Kalea, A.Z., De Dominicis, S. et al. Behavioral and Psychological Factors Affecting Weight Loss Success. Curr Obes Rep 12, 223–230 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-023-00511-6

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