Graduation date: 1992

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to determine that a behavioral lifestyle modification approach to weight loss changes participants' dietary intake and physical activity levels and that these changes were associated with weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Behavioral factors important in other weight control studies were also investigated to see if they are important indicators of successful weight control in this program as well. A group of previously validated questionnaires, along with a weight history written for this study, was administered to current participants in Providence Health System's Smart CHOICES program both before and after program participation. The same questionnaires were administered to past participants in a one-time follow-up for the CHOICES program approximately 2 years after program completion. The study found that current participant successful weight losers did decrease their percentage of energy intake from fat more than did non-successful weight losers over the course of the program. Also, successful weight losers decreased their caloric intake and increased physical activity levels during the program and these changes did not occur in non-successful weight losers. The Eating Inventory scales for cognitive restraint and Westenhoefer's flexible control showed expected increases and disinhibition and hunger scores showed expected decreases among successful weight losers. However, non-successful weight losers showed these same changes except for the hunger scores, which did not decrease during the program. There were no differences found between past participant weight loss maintainers and non-maintainers in caloric intake, percentage fat intake, physical activity levels, Eating Inventory scales, or flexible and rigid control. When compared to successful weight losers among the current participants, there were suggestions that past participant weight loss maintainers and non-maintainers regressed toward their pre-treatment levels in percentage of fat intake, physical activity levels, and flexible control scores over time. While the Smart CHOICES program is effective in bringing about short-term behavior change to produce weight loss, maintenance of weight loss is a problem in this program as it is in other lifestyle modification programs. The factors differentiating successful weight maintenance from weight regain after loss in this program were not identified. / Graduation date: 2002

No description available.

Applications of locus of control theory to weight loss programs have yielded inconsistent results. This study attempts to clarify "control" by looking at two different factors. Maximum control is the degree of perceived control inherent in the event itself, and personal control is the degree to which the event is perceived controllable by the individual. These two factors were also examined in two types of situations to determine whether individuals have one global outlook on control, or if they make a distinction between control in some situations as opposed to control in other situations. Seventy-four female subjects completed a 16 item questionnaire on their perceived control in weight-related and non-weight-related situations. Subjects demonstrated that attitudes of control are situation specific. The two separate attitudes, maximum control and personal control, operate independently. Some individuals who felt that events were highly controllable, still felt they had very little control. Converse perceptions were also demonstrated.

No description available.

No description available.

Weight control is an area of research which continues to generate attention in an endeavor to find the most effective and long lasting weight loss methods. In the realm of the behavioral modification of weight control, emphasis has been given to the impact of external stimuli on eating behavior. Less well researched are internal stimuli, that is, cognitive events, feelings, and thoughts which influence eating habits. The literature on obesity has yet to empirically differentiate the effects of the cognitive and external factors on weight control. A cognitive restructuring approach to weight reduction was hypothesized to be the more effective treatment when compared to a strictly external self-modification weight control program. The Cognitive Restructuring group received training in cognitive intervention techniques such as, rehearsal, covert sensitization, relaxation, cognitive countering, recording of moods, and covert imagery, in addition to skills in external cue control. The external group was designed to maximize the incorporation of external cues in a weight control paradigm. The two treatment methods were compared with a control group. Each treatment group and control group consisted of six subjects.

The composition of the diet has been recently researched as an important factor in controlling excess body fat, and thus obesity. Along with dietary modifications, it has been stressed to incorporate behavior modification and daily physical activity to promote weight loss. A comprehensive program incorporating all three components is the suggested treatment for long term weight maintenance. This study investigated a 12 week low dietary fat education program including behavior modification and physical activity to promote weight loss in the abdominally obese. There were eight experimental subjects and four controls. Measurements assessed were height, weight, percent body fat, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, ideal body weight, daily caloric intake, percent dietary fat intake, percent saturated fat intake, saturated fat gram intake, physical activity assessments and resting metabolic rate. Results showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups for calorie intake, body weight, ideal body weight and saturated fat gram intake at post-intervention. Percent of dietary fat intake decreased from baseline to follow-up in the experimental group, but did not reach significance. There was a 33% decrease in saturated fat gram intake from baseline to follow-up in the experimental group. A significant decrease in daily caloric intake occurred in the experimental group from baseline to post-intervention. The decrease in body weight could not be directly correlated to dietary fat intake, although they did have a tendency to move in the same direction. These data suggest the weight management program in this study was successful at decreasing body weight, daily caloric intake, dietary fat intake and saturated fat intake.The qualitative interview revealed obstacles faced by the subjects. The most common difficulties in adhering to the program included time constraints, travel, lack of a structured physical activity component, social pressures triggering eating behavior, feeling of guilt when prioritizing time for oneself and lack of continued support and education through class sessions. Individual motivational factors existed. Therefore, personalized attention and a continued support system would be beneficial as part of the treatment program for success in changing lifestyle behaviors.In conclusion, this data suggest an educational program encouraging decreased dietary fat intake, behavior modification and increased daily physical activity without a calorie controlled plan can promote weight management in the abdominally obese. / Institute for Wellness