Key modifiable factors in weight maintenance: fat intake, exercise, and weight cycling.

OBJECTIVE

This 6- to 42-month follow-up study of a 6-month worksite weight control intervention examined predictors of weight maintenance, with a focus on those that could be modified.

SUBJECTS: Twenty-nine participants, 14 men and 15 women, from a behavior modification program completed follow-up measurements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Height, weight, waist-to-hip ratio, food and beverage intake from a 3-day food record, weight history, social support and physical activity were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

One third of the participants maintained their weight losses within 2 kg at follow-up, although all had higher relative weights at follow-up than immediately after the program. High daily fat consumption (r = .40) and reduced time in physical activity (r = .34) correlated with increased relative weight at follow-up (P < .05).

APPLICATION: Because previous weight cycling was so strongly related to weight loss maintenance (r = .55), potential weight program participants should learn and practice the weight maintenance behaviors of reduced dietary fat and regular exercise, independently of and before weight reduction attempts.