Strategies that predict weight loss among overweight/obese young adults

Understanding the characteristics of young adults who have difficulty achieving a healthy weight may help develop more effective interventions.

Signal detection was conducted to identify subgroups of overweight/obese young adults more or less likely to lose weight (5% weight loss) over 6 months. Data were collected from a diverse sample involved in a randomized controlled behavioral weight loss intervention (N = 404).

Overall, 15% (N = 57) of participants achieved <5% weight loss. Change in self-monitoring weight, baseline score of gym attendance/participating in exercise classes, and change in eating less fat were the best predictors of weight loss.

These strategies may be particularly helpful to promote short-term weight loss in overweight/obese young adults.