A utilização de técnicas comportamentais associadas a orientação de dieta com restrição calórica e a modificação das cognições, crenças e atitudes sobre alimentação e controle de peso podem ser uma modalidade de intervenção que promove melhores resultados ao longo do tempo. Objetivo: Avaliar as cognições e atitudes de mulheres obesas relativas à alimentação e controle de peso e as alterações ocorridas após a participação em programa de emagrecimento. Metodologia: foram acompanhadas 41 mulheres com excesso de peso. Estas foram alocadas para análise em 3 núcleos: núcleo 1) mulheres participantes de programa de emagrecimento; núcleo 2) lista de espera; e núcleo 3) mulheres desistentes. As mulheres do núcleo 1 foram entrevistadas antes e após a intervenção e o material da entrevista foi utilizado para produzir o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. O programa de emagrecimento teve as seguintes características: 12 sessões; sessões uma vez por semana; atividades em grupo. Resultados: as mulheres do núcleo 1 apresentaram maior redução de peso (Média: -4,64kg; -5,51%) dos que as mulheres participantes do núcleo 2 (Média: -0,16kg; -0,31%) e do núcleo 3 (Média: -0,50 kg; -051%) esta diferença foi estatisticamente significante (p 0,000). A análise do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo mostrou modificação das crenças quanto às características que dietas para perda de peso devem apresentar e pensamentos relativos a forma como o controle da ingestão de alimentos deve ocorrer. Conclusão: estes achados apontam para a necessidade de buscar modalidades de intervenção que provoquem modificações cognitivas e atitudinais para que o controle de peso se efetue de maneira permanente para as mulheres. / Behavioral based interventions associated with moderate caloric restriction and diet and weight control beliefs modification may be an effective form of weight control in the long term. Objective: Evaluate cognitions and attittudes related to eating habits and weight control among overweight and obese women enrolled in a weight control program. Methodology: the program was a group intervention, 12 sessions weekly designed. Forty one overweight women were allocated in 3 groups: 1) behavioral based and diet beliefs modification program; 2) waiting list; 3) drop-outs from category one. Initial and Final interviews with women allocated in the category 1 were done and were used in a qualitative analysis. Results: Women allocated in group 1 lost significantly (p 0,000) more weight (-4,64kg; -5,51%) than women in group 2 (-0,16kg; -o,31%) and group 3 (-0,50 kg; -051%). The qualitative analysis demonstrated changes in diet and weight loss related thoughts and beliefs. The narrative showed improvement in thoughts about energy dense food and the composition of an ideal weight loss diet. At the final interview women described a more self-conscious eating style. Conclusions: Weight Control Programs should address the improvement of food and weight related cognitions and attitudes in order to promote permanent weight control among overweight women.

A utilização de técnicas comportamentais associadas a orientação de dieta com restrição calórica e a modificação das cognições, crenças e atitudes sobre alimentação e controle de peso podem ser uma modalidade de intervenção que promove melhores resultados ao longo do tempo. Objetivo: Avaliar as cognições e atitudes de mulheres obesas relativas à alimentação e controle de peso e as alterações ocorridas após a participação em programa de emagrecimento. Metodologia: foram acompanhadas 41 mulheres com excesso de peso. Estas foram alocadas para análise em 3 núcleos: núcleo 1) mulheres participantes de programa de emagrecimento; núcleo 2) lista de espera; e núcleo 3) mulheres desistentes. As mulheres do núcleo 1 foram entrevistadas antes e após a intervenção e o material da entrevista foi utilizado para produzir o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. O programa de emagrecimento teve as seguintes características: 12 sessões; sessões uma vez por semana; atividades em grupo. Resultados: as mulheres do núcleo 1 apresentaram maior redução de peso (Média: -4,64kg; -5,51%) dos que as mulheres participantes do núcleo 2 (Média: -0,16kg; -0,31%) e do núcleo 3 (Média: -0,50 kg; -051%) esta diferença foi estatisticamente significante (p 0,000). A análise do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo mostrou modificação das crenças quanto às características que dietas para perda de peso devem apresentar e pensamentos relativos a forma como o controle da ingestão de alimentos deve ocorrer. Conclusão: estes achados apontam para a necessidade de buscar modalidades de intervenção que provoquem modificações cognitivas e atitudinais para que o controle de peso se efetue de maneira permanente para as mulheres. / Behavioral based interventions associated with moderate caloric restriction and diet and weight control beliefs modification may be an effective form of weight control in the long term. Objective: Evaluate cognitions and attittudes related to eating habits and weight control among overweight and obese women enrolled in a weight control program. Methodology: the program was a group intervention, 12 sessions weekly designed. Forty one overweight women were allocated in 3 groups: 1) behavioral based and diet beliefs modification program; 2) waiting list; 3) drop-outs from category one. Initial and Final interviews with women allocated in the category 1 were done and were used in a qualitative analysis. Results: Women allocated in group 1 lost significantly (p 0,000) more weight (-4,64kg; -5,51%) than women in group 2 (-0,16kg; -o,31%) and group 3 (-0,50 kg; -051%). The qualitative analysis demonstrated changes in diet and weight loss related thoughts and beliefs. The narrative showed improvement in thoughts about energy dense food and the composition of an ideal weight loss diet. At the final interview women described a more self-conscious eating style. Conclusions: Weight Control Programs should address the improvement of food and weight related cognitions and attitudes in order to promote permanent weight control among overweight women.

Many people use smoking as a weight control mechanism and do not want to quit because they fear weight gain. These weight-concerned smokers tend to be female, are significantly less likely to stop smoking, are less likely to join smoking cessation programs, and will relapse more often than smokers who are not weight-concerned. Research suggests that a woman’s confidence in her ability to control her weight after quitting relates positively with her intention to quit smoking. Likewise, success in smoking cessation has been associated with increased self-efficacy for weight control. It has been shown that success in changing one negative health behavior may trigger success in changing another, causing a synergistic effect. Recently research has focused on interventions for weight-concerned smokers who are ready to quit smoking. The present study investigated the effect of a cognitive based weight control program on self-efficacy for weight control and the effect on smoking behavior for a group of female weight concerned smokers. Two hundred and sixteen subjects who wanted to lose weight but who were not ready to quit smoking were recruited to participate in a 12-week, cognitive-behavioral weight control program consisting of twelve one-hour sessions. Subjects were randomly assigned to either 1) the weight-control program (intervention group), or 2) the control group. Results of this study demonstrated that subjects in the intervention group increased self-efficacy for weight control, which was associated with improved healthy eating index scores, weight loss, increased self-efficacy for quitting smoking, a decrease in number of cigarettes smoked and triggered positive movement in stage of change towards smoking cessation compared to the control subjects. For these subjects, positive changes in self-efficacy for one behavior (weight control) appeared to have a positive effect on their readiness to change another health behavior (smoking cessation). Further study of the psychological variables that influence weight-concerned female smokers’ decisions to initiate changes in these behaviors and their ability to maintain those changes are warranted.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / As the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps looks for efficiencies in Force End Strength Management and improvement to Sailor and Marine quality of life, Semper Fit may provide some answers. This research specifically focuses on the Marine Corps Body Composition Program (BCP) and Remedial Physical Conditioning Program (RPCP). The purpose is to qualitatively analyze a program for Marines who are overfat or on remedial physical training (PT) programs, focusing on the feasibility of Marines obtaining professional assistance from Semper Fit. The scope of this research evaluates existing programs and analyzes their beneficial affects in improving retention and attrition of RPCP Marines. The research shows that Semper Fit professionals would provide overfat and poorly conditioned Marines by USMC standards a consistent program through mandatory training in health, nutrition, and fitness. Semper Fit would directly support unit commanders with classes in nutrition, health, and fitness tailored for each RPCP Marine. Furthermore, this study validates the newly established Department of Defense Physical Readiness Test Standards recently adapted by the Department of the Navy as highly accurate. This study recommends the Marine Corps further expand Semper Fits role in support of the Marine and unit commander. / Captain, United States Marine Corps