Goal-striving and the implementation of goal intentions in the regulation of body weight

The enactment of relatively easy-to-implement and relatively difficult-to-i mplement goal intentions was investigated in a field study of body weight m aintenance for 141 university students. Three appraisal processes were exam ined as mechanisms for implementing intentions: self-efficacy, outcome expe ctancy, and affect towards means. The results showed that goal-directed die ting behaviours for men and women and goal-directed exercising/sport activi ties for men were influenced by the appraisals in a linear compensatory man ner, and goal-directed exercising/sport activities for women were influence d by the appraisals via a three-way interaction. Self-efficacy, in particul ar, was a strong, pervasive determinant of both dieting and exercising/spor t activities for men and women.