Changes in self-efficacy and dietary adherence: the impact on weight loss in the PREFER study

Abstract

Findings from studies examining self-efficacy and its relationship to weight loss have been inconsistent. We examined self-efficacy specific to changing eating behaviors in the PREFER trial, an 18-month behavioral weight-loss study, to determine if self-efficacy and dietary adherence were associated with weight change, and what impact self-efficacy had on weight change after controlling for adherence. Measurements included the weight efficacy lifestyle (WEL) questionnaire, body weight, self-reported fat gram intake, kilocalorie intake, and adherence to kilocalorie and fat gram goals at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. The sample (N = 170) was 88.2% female and 70.0% Caucasian; the mean age was 44.1 years (SD = 8.8). Mean weight loss at 18 months was 4.64% (SD = 6.24) of baseline body weight and the mean increase in self-efficacy was 11.70% (SD = 38.61). Self-efficacy improved significantly over time (p = 0.04) and was associated with weight loss (p = 0.02). Adherence to the fat gram goal was associated with weight loss (p = 0.0003), and self-efficacy remained associated with weight loss after controlling for fat gram adherence (p = 0.0001). Consistent with self-efficacy theory, improvement in self-efficacy over time supported greater weight loss. Adherence to the fat gram goal also influenced weight loss.

Moderation of Fatigue and Stress in the Carry-over of Self-Regulation and Self-Efficacy for Exercise to Self-Regulation and Self-Efficacy for Managed Eating

“…Responses to five subscales of Negative Emotions, Social Pressure, Availability, Physical Discomfort, and Positive Activities (e.g., "I can resist eating when I am watching TV") range from 0 (Not confident) to 9 (Very confident), and are summed. Internal consistencies ranged from .70 to .90 (Clark et al, 1991), and the predictive validity was acceptable in multiple studies (Warziski, Sereika, Styn, Music, & Burke, 2008).…”

The Impact of Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities on Binge Eating and Self-Efficacy among Adults in a Behavioral Weight Loss Trial

“…Past research has found that improvement in self-efficacy over time is associated with greater weight loss ( Warziski et al, 2008;Wingo et al, 2013). However, among nonwhite samples, the role of selfefficacy in weight loss is mixed.…”

“…Obesity researchers have learned that improvement in self-efficacy is associated with weight loss ( Clark, Abrams, Niaura, Eaton, & Rossi, 1991;Warziski, Sereika, Styn, Music, & Burke, 2008). Conversely, lower rates of self-efficacy have been linked with a decreased likelihood of practicing weight management behaviors ( Palmeira et al, 2007;Shin et al, 2011).…”

Autoeficácia para Prática de Atividade Física em Pacientes com Síndrome Metabólica

“…Dessa forma, desenvolver estratégias que visem o aumento da AE dos indivíduos se configura como uma das possibilidades para trabalhar a mudança de estilo de vida e, consequente, melhora no quadro das doenças assim como da SM. Sugere-se uma avaliação pós-tratamento com o objetivo de verificar se haverá aumento no nível de AE como observado em outros estudos (Bernier & Avard, 1986;Jeffery et al, 1984;Warziski, Sereika, Styn, Music, & Burke, 2008).…”