Promoting healthy weight with "stability skills first": a randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Obesity Research
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Behavioral weight-loss interventions often yield short-term results, with long-term weight maintenance proving challenging.
• Developing strategies to sustain weight loss is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if learning "stability skills" prior to a weight-loss program enhances long-term weight management.
• To compare the efficacy of a "Maintenance First" approach versus a "Weight Loss First" approach.

Main Methods:

• A randomized trial involving 267 overweight/obese women.
• Two 6-month intervention groups: "Maintenance First" (stability skills then weight loss) and "Weight Loss First" (weight loss then problem-solving skills).
• Follow-up assessments at 6, 12, and 18 months, with no staff contact during the final 12 months.

Main Results:

• Both groups achieved similar initial weight loss during their 6-month interventions.
• The "Maintenance First" group regained significantly less weight during the 12-month follow-up period compared to the "Weight Loss First" group.
• Weight regain was 3.2 lb for Maintenance First vs. 7.3 lb for Weight Loss First.

Conclusions:

• Learning stability skills before embarking on a weight-loss program effectively promotes long-term weight maintenance.
• This pre-emptive skill-building strategy supports sustained weight management independently of ongoing intervention.
• Findings offer valuable insights for designing future weight management interventions.