Dietary and physical activity correlates of long-term weight loss

Covariations in body mass index (BMI), physical activity, macronutrient intake, and the frequency of consumption of specific foods were examined among 82 men and 75 women participating in a behavioral weight loss program over a period of 18 months. Results of repeated measures analyses of covariance showed that BMI change was inversely related to change in physical activity and change in frequency of vegetable consumption. BMI change was positively related to change in calorie intake from fat and change in frequency of consumption of beef, hot dogs, and sweets. Change in fat calories predicted BMI change better than change in total calories. In addition, change in the frequency of consumption of specific foods accounted for a larger percentage of the variance in BMI change than did change in macronutrients (10.4% vs. 5.2%). No differences were found between predictors of weight loss vs. weight maintenance.