Weight Loss Expectations of Adults With Binge Eating: Cross-sectional Study With a Human-Centered Design Approach
Claire Voss1, Jianyi Liu1, Angela Chang1
1Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States.
JMIR Formative Research
|February 28, 2023
Summary
Individuals with binge eating or concerns about weight and shape overestimate their weight loss expectations. Managing these expectations is key for successful digital weight management interventions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Digital health interventions
- Obesity research
Background:
- Overestimating achievable weight loss is common in behavioral weight management programs, impacting satisfaction and outcomes.
- Digital interventions for binge eating and weight management require understanding user expectations for engagement and success.
- Existing research on weight loss expectations primarily focuses on individuals with overweight or obesity, with limited data on those with binge eating disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how binge eating severity and overvaluation of weight/shape influence weight loss expectations.
- To inform the design of digital interventions for binge eating and weight management by understanding user expectations.
- To address engagement and dropout issues in digital behavior change interventions by aligning expectations with realistic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A web-based screening questionnaire was completed by 760 adults.
- One-way ANOVAs were used to analyze weight loss expectations based on binge eating status.
- Weight loss expectations were also analyzed in relation to the overvaluation of weight and shape.
Main Results:
- Weight loss expectations significantly differed by binge eating status, with those experiencing binge eating expecting greater weight loss.
- Participants with severe overvaluation of weight or shape reported higher weight loss expectations than those with low or moderate levels.
- These findings indicate a correlation between binge eating severity, body image concerns, and inflated weight loss expectations.
Conclusions:
- Participants in this study, seeking a digital intervention for binge eating and weight management, overestimated their weight loss expectations.
- Assessing and modifying weight loss expectations before enrollment in digital interventions may improve treatment completion and success rates for individuals with binge eating.
- Future research should focus on developing and testing features within digital interventions to modify user expectations, thereby enhancing engagement and outcomes.
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