%0 Journal Article %J J Nutr Educ Behav %D 2012 %T Measuring perceived barriers to healthful eating in obese, treatment-seeking adults. %A Welsh, Ericka M %A Jeffery, Robert W %A Levy, Rona L %A Langer, Shelby L %A Flood, Andrew P %A Jaeb, Melanie A %A Laqua, Patricia S %K Body Mass Index %K Diet, Reducing %K Energy Intake %K Factor Analysis, Statistical %K Female %K Health Behavior %K Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice %K Humans %K Linear Models %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Obesity %K Perception %K Self Concept %K Self Efficacy %K Surveys and Questionnaires %K Time Factors %K Weight Loss %X

OBJECTIVE: To characterize perceived barriers to healthful eating in a sample of obese, treatment-seeking adults and to examine whether changes in barriers are associated with energy intake and body weight.

DESIGN: Observational study based on findings from a randomized, controlled behavioral weight-loss trial.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 113 women and 100 men, mean age 48.8 years, 67% white, and mean body mass index at baseline 34.9 kg/m(2).

VARIABLES MEASURED: Perceived diet barriers were assessed using a 39-item questionnaire. Energy intake was assessed with the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Body weight (kg) and height (cm) were measured.

ANALYSIS: Factor-based scales constructed from exploratory factor analysis. Linear regression models regressed 12-month energy intake and body weight on baseline to 12-month factor-based score changes (α = .05).

RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis yielded 3 factors: lack of knowledge, lack of control, and lack of time. Reported declines in lack of knowledge and lack of control from baseline to 12 months were associated with significantly greater energy restriction over 12 months, whereas reported declines in lack of control and lack of time were associated with significantly greater weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that declines in perceived barriers to healthful eating during treatment are associated with greater energy restriction and weight loss.

%B J Nutr Educ Behav %V 44 %P 507-12 %8 2012 Nov-Dec %G eng %N 6 %R 10.1016/j.jneb.2010.06.005 %0 Journal Article %J Prev Med %D 2010 %T Maintenance-tailored therapy vs. standard behavior therapy for 30-month maintenance of weight loss. %A Levy, Rona L %A Jeffery, Robert W %A Langer, Shelby L %A Graham, Dan J %A Welsh, Ericka M %A Flood, Andrew P %A Jaeb, Melanie A %A Laqua, Patricia S %A Finch, Emily A %A Hotop, Annie M %A Yatsuya, Hiroshi %K Adult %K Behavior Therapy %K Humans %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Obesity %K Weight Gain %K Weight Loss %X

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in weight regain one year after an 18-month obesity treatment with standard behavior therapy (SBT) or maintenance-tailored therapy for obesity (MTT).

METHOD: 213 obese adult volunteers were treated for 18 months using SBT with fixed behavioral prescriptions or MTT that employed varied behavioral prescriptions with treatment breaks. Follow-up analysis focused on weight maintenance after a year of no contact. The trial was conducted at the University of Minnesota between 2005 and 2009.

RESULTS: Mean (SD) weight change between 18 and 30 months for participants in the SBT group was +4.1 kg (4.4) compared to +2.8 kg (4.5) in the MTT group. This is a 31% reduction in weight regain in MTT relative to SBT (p=0.078). This trend toward better maintenance in MTT versus SBT was due primarily to superior differential maintenance in MTT participants in the highest tertile of total weight loss at 18 months, i.e. MTT participants in this tertile regained 4 kg less than SBT participants between 18 and 30 months.

CONCLUSIONS: The MTT approach with varied content and timing produced more desirable patterns of weight loss maintenance than the traditional SBT approach, especially among individuals who had achieved greater initial weight loss.

%B Prev Med %V 51 %P 457-9 %8 2010 Dec %G eng %N 6 %R 10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.09.010