This thesis explores the role of mood in adherence to changes in behaviour required for weight maintenance following weight loss in an obese sample. Significant increases in physical activity are necessary for successful weight maintenance, yet this change in lifestyle remains challenging for many. Anecdotally, the importance of being in the 'right mood' to make lifestyle changes is frequently reported. A systematic review of the weight maintenance literature revealed that a number of behaviour change techniques were associated with effective weight maintenance interventions. Therefore, the current randomised control study employed relevant behaviour change techniques within two goal setting interventions to improve either daily steps walked or mood compared to a control group in a weight loss programme cohort. The number of daily steps walked and mood were evaluated and the following questions were addressed: 1) In an obese population enrolled in a weight loss programme, do goal-setting interventions increase the number of steps walked compared to those in a control group? 2) Does the mood score differ for those participants in the mood improvement intervention group compared to those in the steps-walked intervention or control groups? 3) Does weight change differ for those individuals who have shown mood improvement compared to those whose mood is unchanged/worsened? The primary outcomes of steps walked, mood and weight were recorded immediately after intervention and again after unsupervised follow up 6-months later. The results showed that all groups increased the number of steps walked but not significantly so. This increase was greatest for the steps-walked group during the active intervention period but greatest for the mood intervention group during the unsupervised follow-up period. Mood improved significantly for all groups and was associated with significantly increased weight loss at follow-up. A trend for increased steps walked being associated with improved mood was observed in the 6-month follow up period. These findings highlight the links between mood and continued participation in lifestyle behaviour changes required for weight maintenance. Future research priorities are outlined for this field.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:690564 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Murray, Susan |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=230024 |
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