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Self-Weighing Frequency Is Associated with Weight Gain Prevention over 2 Years Among Working Adults

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Abstract

Background

Little is known about the association between self-weighing frequency and weight gain prevention, particularly in worksite populations.

Purpose

The degree to which self-weighing frequency predicted 2-year body weight change in working adults was examined.

Method

The association between self-weighing frequency (monthly or less, weekly, daily, or more) and 24-month weight change was analyzed in a prospective cohort analysis (n = 1,222) as part of the larger HealthWorks trial.

Results

There was a significant interaction between follow-up self-weighing frequency and baseline body mass index. The difference in weight change ranged from −4.4 ± 0.8 kg weight loss among obese daily self-weighers to 2.1 ± 0.4 kg weight gain for participants at a healthy weight who reported monthly self-weighing.

Conclusion

More frequent self-weighing seemed to be most beneficial for obese individuals. These findings may aid in the refinement of self-weighing frequency recommendations used in the context of weight management interventions.

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Acknowledgments

The HealthWorks study was supported by grant no. DK067362 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (R. Jeffery, Principal Investigator; www.clinicaltrials.gov registry no. NCT00708461). This research was conducted as part of the first author’s requirements for completing his doctoral dissertation at the University of Minnesota.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epidemiology Research Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, 1000 North Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI, 54449, USA

    Jeffrey J. VanWormer

  2. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Jennifer A. Linde, Lisa J. Harnack, Steven D. Stovitz & Robert W. Jeffery

Authors
  1. Jeffrey J. VanWormer
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  2. Jennifer A. Linde
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  3. Lisa J. Harnack
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  4. Steven D. Stovitz
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  5. Robert W. Jeffery
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Correspondence to Jeffrey J. VanWormer.

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VanWormer, J.J., Linde, J.A., Harnack, L.J. et al. Self-Weighing Frequency Is Associated with Weight Gain Prevention over 2 Years Among Working Adults. Int.J. Behav. Med. 19, 351–358 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9178-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9178-1

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