Psychological factors associated with relapse (weight gain) after successful weight loss
Item
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Title
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Psychological factors associated with relapse (weight gain) after successful weight loss
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:487447c87030:11522
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identifier
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11985
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Creator
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Tal, Neta,
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Contributor
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Denise Hien
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Date
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2012
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology | Health sciences | Physiological psychology | addiction | obesity | relapse
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Abstract
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Obesity is a growing public health concern among Americans of all age groups. While behavioral treatments can help people achieve a weight loss that significantly improves their overall health, there continues to be a significant issue of relapse (i.e. weight regain) in this population. Several models of relapse have been reviewed in an effort to shed some light on the possible psychological mechanisms at play underlying a return to old consummatory behaviors. The overall purpose of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of the process of a relapse or return to old eating patterns of overconsumption.;Participants in this study were primarily female (93.5%) and were recruited from a NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) funded randomized clinical weight loss trial (The Healthy Living Study) conducted at Baruch College by Principal Investigator Dr. Angela Marinilli Pinto. The psychological correlates of relapse were investigated in the following two ways: First, the relationship between weight regain (following success in a behavioral weight loss program) and the following three psychological factors: 1) emotion regulation, 2) impulsivity, and 3) aggressiveness, were examined through participant self-report. Secondly, qualitative interviews exploring the psychological aspects of weight loss and relapse were conducted in order gain insight as to the relevant themes associated with peoples' struggle maintain controlled eating patterns. Investigators hypothesized that self-reports of emotion regulation, impulsiveness, and aggressiveness would be correlated to peoples' tendency to regain the weight they had previously lost. In addition, they predicted that data yielded through qualitative interviews would reveal themes related to difficulty with emotion regulation, overt or covert aggression, and impulsivity.;Overall, the hypothesis that self-report measures would be positively correlated with weight regain was not supported, a finding for which investigators propose several possible explanations. Qualitative interviews did however reveal themes related to difficulty with emotion regulation, aggression, and impulsivity, as well as several other important issues proposed to play a role in peoples' difficulty maintaining weight loss. Limitations of the present study as well as clinical implications stemming from its findings are discussed. Finally, directions for future research that may assist behavioral health practitioners in tailoring their treatments more effectively to their patient populations, as well as identifying which patients may need increased support around weight maintenance are also suggested.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
