Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2004. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-54).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio State University, 1980. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-49). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on October 16, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Because there can be serious health and social consequences to obesity, the need for effective treatment programs is great. So far researchers in the field have been more successful in improving the short-term effectiveness of treatment programs for weight loss than the likelihood of long-term maintenance. This study investigated the effects of a 4-week non-diet maintenance intervention program for 59 female participants who had successfully reached a target goal weight, maintained their loss for at least six months, and had moderately high levels of concern about future maintenance. Two treatment conditions were compared, a maintenance intervention (MI) and a relapse prevention intervention (RPI) with a waiting list serving as a control group. Measures of self-efficacy and coping were taken before and after treatment, and by mail at a 6-week follow-up for the 2 treatment conditions; the waiting list was tested at corresponding time intervals without intervening treatment. It was expected that levels of self-efficacy and the relative use of problem-focused coping would increase from pretest to posttest for both treatment conditions compared with the waiting list and that only the relapse prevention intervention group would maintain these increases from posttest to follow-up. No such significant differences were found among the groups on the dependent measures, however, as hypothesized, problem-focused coping at posttest was positively correlated with levels of self-efficacy at follow-up. When clinical significance was assessed, individual participants in both treatment conditions showed improvement in self-efficacy (MI, 36%; RPI, 28%), and relative use of problem-focused coping (MI, 22%; RPI, 33%). In addition, correlational findings were similar to those of other maintenance studies (i.e., smaller weight regains were associated with higher levels of exercise and regular monitoring of weight). It was concluded that the relapse prevention treatment had not produced the desired effect of raising levels of self-efficacy and increasing the relative use of problem-focused coping, but also that the program's objectives had been too ambitious for a 4-week program. The relationship between self-efficacy and problem-focused coping found in this study indicates that this is a fruitful area for further investigation in the development of effective intervention programs for successful dieters at risk of relapse. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Community Psychology), Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2013. / In recent years, significant attention has been given in the popular and academic press to an ‘obesity crisis’ that supposedly, is both ever increasing and sweeping across the world. The study was undertaken to explore the influence of wellness in weight loss. Although it is not known why the prevalence of obesity has increased so suddenly and markedly specifically in the past twenty years, experts agree that the rise is unlikely to be related to a sudden shift in genetic or biological factors within the individual. The causes are largely environmental or a consequence of the mismatch between our physiology and an environment where food is abundant and physical activity unnecessary. Moreover, there seems to be an increasing belief that psychological instability and childhood experiences play a great role in this epidemic. The present study focused on the influence of wellness in weight loss. The holistic approach to deal with this study was undertaken looking at mental, physical and spiritual wellness. Specifically the study looked at food or diet (healthy food and nutrition as important in promotion of good health), fitness or exercise, meditation (helps reduce stress), mental or emotional health and community (social isolation leads to severe stress, which in turn may result in unhealthy behaviour). The results were interesting in that, there was a significant loss of weight amongst the participants at the end of the study; participants demonstrated a positive change and displayed willingness to take better care of their selves to stay well. Qualitatively, participants reported an increase in daily physical activities, healthier dietary choices, feelings of optimism and greater self acceptance. Thus wellness shows promise as a weight loss intervention.

In an attempt to replicate and extend previous research on the validity of food diary records, 18 obese and 16 previously obese individuals from the community were quizzed on food recording and kcalorie estimation in a controlled analogue of self-monitoring. Results of the experimental phase of the study replicate those of previous studies indicating that the food diaries of obese clients are invalid because of poor food descriptions, incorrect quantity estimates, and errors in converting kcalories. The results also indicate that subjects tend to overestimate quantities and kcalories of foods. However, the present study extended previous research by examining the differences between obese and previously obese individuals. It was thought that weight differences might be a function, to some degree, of the person's accuracy at food recording, quantity of portion and kcalorie estimation. The present results suggested no relationship between current weight and accuracy. The implications of this finding suggests that success at weight loss may not be significantly related to an individual's ability at food description, quantity of portion and ability in kcalorie estimation, as was suggested by previous studies. The results of this study strongly question the validity of self-reports in food consumption. Its implications in research and practice were examined. The assessment phase of the study obtained information via a questionnaire on 177 individuals involved in a weight control program. The areas in the questionnaire consisted of: (a) general information, (b) health, (c) environment, (d) emotional aspects of eating, (e) exercise. The findings support past research on obesity, and revealed some areas of interest for future research.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the feline population is estimated to be 25.7% and 33.8%, respectively. Feline obesity is associated with comorbidities such as insulin resistance and hepatic lipidosis. Several risk factors are associated with obesity including middle age, neuter status, decreased activity, and diet. Obesity management is multifaceted and includes client education, diet modification, and consistent monitoring. Successful obesity management may be dependent on owner perception of their cat's quality of life during a prescribed weight loss plan. Poor quality of life perception may result in failure to complete the weight loss process. Food toys may be used to enhance environmental enrichment, allow cats to express their natural predatory behavior and overall improve owner-perceived quality of life. Therefore, we set out to investigate the role of food toys in owner-perceived quality of life of obese cats during a prescribed weight loss plan. Fifty-five cats with a BCS > 7 were enrolled in a double-blinded weight loss study and randomized into one of two groups: food toy (n=26) or food bowl (n=29). Each cat was provided a prescribed weight loss diet and instructions. Body weight and body condition score were evaluated monthly. Additionally, owners completed a monthly questionnaire to assess their cat's quality of life. Of the 44 cats in the final analysis, 66% (n=29) successfully completed the study and lost > 2 BCS points and/or achieved an ideal BCS of 5/9. Low-calorie vegetables were offered to the majority of cats (n= 32) due to owner reports of disruptive food seeking behavior. Of the cats offered vegetables, 87.5% (n=28) cats required a commercial palatant to consume the vegetables. All enrolled cats had a higher (p<0.0000) owner-perceive quality of life at the final visit/recheck/end of study (median QOL=110.0), as compared to the initial weight loss appointment (median QOL=126.0). The increase in quality of life was primarily driven by improvement in moving from one place to another, grooming and scratching, engaging in social activities, and playing and hunting. There was no effect (p=0.27) of food toy on owner-perceived quality of life. Prescribed weight loss improves owner-perceived quality of life of obese cats. A single food toy (ball-style) was included in this study and did not appear to influence owner-perceived QOL. However, the role of food toys needs further investigation as there are several food toy styles that have not yet been investigated during a prescribed weight loss plan. We suspect that most/all of the 32 cats fed vegetables would have withdrawn from the study. Therefore, including vegetables in the prescribed weight loss plan appears to improve success of weight loss in obese cats. / Master of Science / About 60% of cats are overweight or obese, which equates to about 56 million cats in the United States. Feline obesity is associated with poor health outcomes such as insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. Risk factors for feline obesity include middle age, neutered, decreased activity, and diet. Obesity is commonly diagnosed via body condition scoring in small companion animals. Owner-perceived quality of life is an important factor for a successful weight loss plan. Low perceived quality of life may result in owners abandoning the weight loss process. Food toys provide environmental enrichment, slow food consumption and may increase activity. However, the impact of food toys on owner-perceived quality of life and the success of a weight loss plan were not previously investigated. Fifty-five cats were enrolled into the weight loss study and randomly placed into one of two groups. Twenty-six cats were placed in the food toy group, and 29 cats were placed in the food bowl group. Monthly follow-up visits consisted of weighing and body condition scoring each cat. In addition, owners completed a questionnaire to evaluate their cat’s quality of life. Food toys did not influence cat owner perception of their cat’s quality of life. However, cat owners perceived their cat’s quality of life to be higher at the end of the study compared to the beginning for all cats. The increase in quality of life was primarily driven by improvement in moving from one place to another, grooming and scratching, engaging in social activities, and playing and hunting. Satiety was an issue for several cats during the study. Low-calorie vegetables were offered to over half of the study cats to decrease hunger and food-seeking behavior. This study indicates quality of life is increased in cats undergoing a prescribed weight loss plan. A single food toy was utilized in the present study although several types of food toys are currently available that have not been investigated in relation to owner-perceived quality of life during a prescribed weight loss plan.

<p>Fetma och övervikt är ett hot mot folkhälsan. Många med övervikt och fetma försöker gå ner i vikt, men få lyckas bibehålla viktminskningen. Studiens syfte var att ta reda på erfarenheter av betydelsefulla faktorer och strategier för en bestående viktminskning, samt motivation för bibehållandet av vikten. Enligt Self-determination theory (SDT) blir beteendeförändringar bestående om de är autonoma och om motivationen är intern. Åtta kvinnor som deltagit i Itrims viktminskningsprogram intervjuades. Resultatet visade att förändringar i kost, motion och förhållningssätt var för egen vinning och viktiga för en bibehållen vikt. Andra faktorer var kunskap, psykiskt och fysiskt välmående samt vilja. Bibehållandet av viktminskningen var ett självständigt arbete där kunskaper från programmet och från inre reflektion införlivades i livsstilen, vilket överrensstämmer med SDT.</p>