Rethinking Traditional Weight Management Programs: A 3-Year Follow-Up Evaluation of a New Approach

• Published in: The journal of psychology Vol. 128; no. 5; pp. 517 - 535
• Main Authors: Carrier, Karen M., Steinhardt, Mary A., Bowman, Sally
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01.09.1994; Journal Press, etc; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Binge eating; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cardiovascular disease; Culture; Diet; Eating behavior; Eating disorders; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Exercise; Feeding Behavior; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Obesity; Overweight; Physical appearance; Physical fitness; Self awareness; Self Concept; Self esteem; Self image; Social psychology; Social research; Society; Weight control; Weight Loss; Womens health
• ISSN: 0022-3980; 1940-1019
• DOI: 10.1080/00223980.1994.9914910

We evaluated the effectiveness of a nondiet approach designed to reduce restrained eating behaviors and improve self-acceptance and self-esteem. This approach also encourages participants to address eating and exercise behavior separately. Subjects were Conoco employees who participated in the Wellness Department's Eat For L.I.F.E. (Long-term change; Image of self; Fun; Enjoyment of eating) program and completed pre-participation and 3-year follow-up questionnaires (N = 79). Pre- and postsurvey data were used to assess participants eating behavior, dieting behavior, self-acceptance, self-esteem, level of physical activity, and demographic information. Mastery of the internally directed eating style was assessed during the program at 3 months, at the conclusion of the 6-month program, and at the 3-year follow-up. Analysis of variance indicated that Eat For L.I.F.E. participants were able to significantly decrease their restrained eating behavior and increase self-acceptance, self-esteem, and level of physical activity. Participants also were able to adopt many aspects of the nonrestrained, internally directed eating style and decrease their frequency of weighing-in behavior. These results indicate that strategies fostering internally directed eating behaviors may be more centrally related to an individual's well-being than programs supporting externally directed eating behaviors.