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 we ight control intervention examined predictors of weight maintenance, w ith a focus on those that could be modified. Subjects Twenty-nine part icipants, 14 men and 15 women, from a behavior modification program co mpleted 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 ou tcome measures. Results One third of the participants maintained their weight losses within 2 kg at follow-up, although all had higher relat ive weights at follow-up than immediately after the program. High dail y fat consumption (r=.40) and reduced time in physical activity (r=.34 ) correlated with increased relative weight at follow-up (P<.05). Appl ication Because previous weight cycling was so strongly related to wei ght loss maintenance (r=.55), potential weight program participants sh ould learn and practice the weight maintenance behaviors of reduced di etary fat and regular exercise, independently of and before weight red uction attempts.