Do outcomes from a behavioral weight loss intervention differ in Alabama versus Colorado?

Area of Science:

• Obesity research
• Behavioral science
• Public health

Background:

• Significant regional disparities in U.S. obesity prevalence exist.
• Understanding the reasons for these disparities and regional differences in weight loss success remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare weight loss outcomes, physical activity (PA), and psychosocial factors between Alabama (AL) and Colorado (CO).
• To assess these differences in response to a 16-week behavioral weight loss program.

Main Methods:

• An ancillary study to a weight loss intervention involving 70 participants (31 in AL, 39 in CO).
• Collected data on body weight, objective PA (accelerometry), and psychosocial factors (eating, stress, social support) at baseline and 16 weeks.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in percent weight loss or final body weight between AL and CO.
• Participants in AL demonstrated higher accelerometry-derived PA levels and more favorable hedonic eating and social support scores at 16 weeks.
• Hedonic eating scores were more favorable in AL at both baseline and 16 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Weight loss outcomes were comparable across states, indicating regional obesity prevalence may not impede weight loss success.
• Improvements in PA and psychosocial factors suggest regional differences in weight loss maintenance warrant further investigation.