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Efficacy of a self-management intervention for weight control in overweight and obese adults: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Brief self-management interventions to engender successful weight maintenance are seldom tested in obese and overweight populations without diabetes. To test the efficacy of the intervention, aimed at improving proactive coping, in obese and overweight adults at risk for diabetes. Participants (N = 255) were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (N = 185) and a control group (N = 70). Experimental groups received the same intervention in week 1–8 (initial phase) and booster sessions with different content (“standard” vs. “relapse prevention”) during week 9–24 (continuance phase). Primary outcomes were proactive coping, diet and Body Mass Index (BMI) at four time points (1 year between first and last measurement). Experimental groups improved in proactive coping during the initial phase and BMI during the continuance phase, whereas the control group did not. No differences emerged in diet. Brief self-management interventions can play a preventive role in chronic illnesses associated with obesity.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from ZonMw, the Netherlands organization for health research and development (No. 120610009). The funding source had no involvement in the conduct or writing of this research.

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  1. Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Charlotte D. W. Vinkers, Marieke A. Adriaanse, Floor M. Kroese & Denise T. D. de Ridder

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  1. Charlotte D. W. Vinkers
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  2. Marieke A. Adriaanse
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Correspondence to Charlotte D. W. Vinkers.

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Vinkers, C.D.W., Adriaanse, M.A., Kroese, F.M. et al. Efficacy of a self-management intervention for weight control in overweight and obese adults: a randomized controlled trial. J Behav Med 37, 781–792 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-013-9530-9

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