Testing a Brief Self-Directed Behavioral Weight Control Program

摘要

Clinical obesity treatments are of limited reach. Self-directed weight control attempts are common, but little attention has been given to providing guidance for such efforts in the population. The present research tests a brief intervention approach to weight control. Pilot data were collected from 66 University employees (72.7% female, 81.8% white) randomized to an assessment-only control condition or a single intervention session to teach empirically valid self-directed weight control methods. Mean baseline weight was 87.1 kilograms (range 64.0–120.3 kilograms). Though statistically nonsignificant, intervention participants averaged greater weight loss by 6 months than controls [−0.80 kilograms vs. −0.19 kilograms, F(1, 44) = 0.47, p = .50, Cohen’s d = .21]. There was a significant group × time interaction for self-weighing frequency [F(2, 41) = 10.84, p < .001]. With some enhancement and more attention to dissemination, a brief self-directed program has potential as a useful approach to population weight gain prevention.