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Long-term Weight Maintenance after Successful Weight Loss: Motivational Factors, Support, Difficulties, and Success
Sirpa Soini1, Pertti Mustajoki2, Johan G Eriksson1
1Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Objectives:
The main aims of this study were to assess motivational factors for weight loss, and support and difficulties during the weight loss and weight maintenance phase.
Methods:
This study was based upon findings from the Finnish Weight Control Registry (FWCR), including 158 formerly obese persons, who lost at least 10% of their initial weight and maintained it for at least 2 years. Data have been collected through electronic forms.
Results:
The 2 most commonly reported motivational factors for weight loss were health- and appearance-related factors. Women reported dissatisfaction with their body more commonly than men (p = .023), whereas men reported health-related reasons (p = .008) more often. The majority (58%) reported losing weight alone, without any outside support, men more commonly than women (p = .006). Persons reported fewer difficulties during the maintenance than during the weight loss phase.
Conclusions:
Various motivational factors for losing weight may lead to successful weight loss and long-term weight maintenance. Marked sex differences were reported in relation to difficul- ties and need for support.
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