Does Weight Loss Maintenance Become Easier Over Time?

Abstract

KLEM, MARY L., RENA R. WING, WEI LANG, MAUREEN T. MCGUIRE, AND JAMES O. HILL. Does weight loss maintenance become easier over time ? Obes Res. 2000;8:438 -444. Objective: Studies of health-related behaviors, including weight loss, have shown that risk of relapse decreases over time, although reasons for this relationship are unclear. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine if subjects who have maintained weight losses for varying periods of time report different strategies for weight loss maintenance or differences in the effort and pleasure associated with weight maintenance behaviors. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 758 women and 173 men who had maintained losses of at least 30 lb (mean ϭ 60 lb) for 2 years or longer (mean ϭ 6.8 Ϯ 7.0 years). Self-administered questionnaires assessed subjects' use of weight maintenance strategies in the past year and their perceptions of the effort, attention, and pleasure associated with weight maintenance. Results: Subjects who had maintained weight losses longer used fewer weight maintenance strategies and reported that less effort was required to diet and maintain weight and that less attention was required to maintain weight. The pleasure derived from exercise, low-fat eating, and maintaining weight was unrelated to duration of weight loss maintenance. Discussion: As duration increases, a shift in the balance between the effort and pleasure of weight maintenance may occur. This shift may increase the likelihood of continued maintenance.

Medical triggers are associated with better short- and long-term weight loss outcomes

“…Over the 2-year period, average weight regain was 5.0 F 7.7 kg [note: this regain is higher than in previous NWCR reports because the sample was limited to partic ipants with shorter durations (5 years or less) who are more likely to regain] [17,21]. A significant trigger group � time interaction was observed ( P = 0.003), even after controlling for age, BMI, gender, initial weight loss, and history of obesity-related medical comorbidity ( P = 0.001).…”

Weight maintenance, behaviors and barriers among previous participants of a university-based weight control program

“…33 For example, among NWCR participants, those who had maintained weight loss for a shorter length of time, that is, 2-3 years, reported that it required significantly more effort and attention compared to those who had maintained for 6 years or longer. 34 Slips in behavior are frequent and interrupt the learning process, 35,36 thus it is not surprising that weight regain is most likely to happen within the first few years of weight loss. Changes in dietary and physical activity patterns may be particularly difficult to sustain because the behaviors are often time consuming and in opposition to a busy lifestyle built around convenience, mechanization and consumption of energy-dense food.…”

Weight Regain in U.S. Adults Who Experienced Substantial Weight Loss, 1999–2002

“…[5][6][7][8][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]33 Most people who lose weight do so without clinical treatment, 20,31,34 and as such, the prevalence estimates of weight regain in this study on a nationally representative sample may be more indicative of the general population.…”

“…People who maintain weight loss longer report that less effort and attention are required to maintain weight loss. 23 Over time, the acquisition of critical behaviors or skills may protect against relapse. 23 Attempting to control weight was also associated with weight regain, although the lack of information on a temporal relationship in this cross-sectional study precludes a causal interpretation.…”