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Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Characterization of early non-responders within behavioral weight loss treatment
Jessica L Unick1, Christine A Pellegrini2, Shira I Dunsiger3
1Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University and The Miriam Hospital's Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States.
Objective:
Given that low early (4 weeks) weight loss (WL) predicts longer-term WL, the purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with poor early WL.
Methods:
438 adults with overweight/obesity participating in an Internet-delivered behavioral WL program provided weights at baseline and 4 weeks. Participants were stratified by percent WL at 4 weeks: LOW: <2% WL, MEDIUM: 2 to <4% WL, HIGH: ≥4% WL and groups were compared on baseline variables (demographics, physical activity, and psychosocial measures) and 4-week intervention adherence.
Results:
37.4%, 40.9%, and 21.7% of participants had LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH early WL respectively. LOW was more likely to be female compared to HIGH and less likely to be non-Hispanic White compared to MEDIUM and HIGH (p's<0.05). After controlling for demographic differences, LOW had lower baseline physical activity compared to HIGH and watched fewer video lessons, self-monitored calorie intake and weight on fewer days, and were less likely to achieve the exercise goal compared to MEDIUM and HIGH (p's<0.05).
Conclusion:
Findings can inform future adaptive interventions which tailor treatment based upon early WL to improve WL outcomes for more individuals.
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