What distinguishes weight loss maintainers of the German Weight Control Registry from the general population?

Feller S, Mueller A, Mayr A, Engeli S, Hilbert A, De Zwaan M (2015)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Obesity Wiley-Blackwell

Book Volume: 23

Pages Range: 1112-8

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1002/oby.21054

Abstract

Differences between successful long-term weight loss maintainers and the general population with regard to eating and weighing habits, non-normative eating behaviors, and eating-related and general psychopathological parameters are unknown.Self-identified weight loss maintainers from the German Weight Control Registry (GWCR, n = 494) were compared with a representative sample of the general German population (n = 2,129). The samples did not differ in current BMI. Using the same assessment instruments in both cohorts, a variety of eating-related and psychological variables were determined.The GWCR participants reported more self-weighing and higher eating frequency but less hot meal consumption and more eating-out-of-home. Binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and concerns about shape and weight were reported more often by successful weight loss maintainers. Scores of depression and worrying about health were slightly higher whereas severity of somatic symptoms was less pronounced in the GWCR participants.Overall, our data suggest that successful weight loss maintainers are characterized by more concerns about shape and weight, greater binge eating frequency, and higher use of compensatory behaviors. The latter suggests that weight loss maintenance might not only be achieved by healthy strategies but also by non-normative behaviors which might increase the vulnerability for weight regain.

Authors with CRIS profile

Andreas Mayr Lehrstuhl für Biometrie und Epidemiologie

Involved external institutions

Universität Leipzig DE Germany (DE) Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School DE Germany (DE) Deutsches Institut für Ernährungsforschung (DIfE) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Feller, S., Mueller, A., Mayr, A., Engeli, S., Hilbert, A., & De Zwaan, M. (2015). What distinguishes weight loss maintainers of the German Weight Control Registry from the general population? Obesity, 23(5), 1112-8. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.21054

MLA:

Feller, Silke, et al. "What distinguishes weight loss maintainers of the German Weight Control Registry from the general population?" Obesity 23.5 (2015): 1112-8.

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