Self-efficacy in relation to eating behaviour among obese and non-obese women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a 3 month behaviour modification weight management programme on self-efficacy and anthropometric variables among ob ese women seeking treatment at an obesity management clinic and to compare self-efficacy among these obese women to non-obese women. DESIGN: Cross sectional. SUBJECTS: A total of 161 non-obese (BMI 22.6 +/- 2.9 kg/m(2)) and 138 obese (BMI 37.7 +/- 5.8 kg/m(2)) women of similar age. MEASUREMENTS: Self-efficacy in relation to eating was assessed by the Weigh t Efficacy Lifestyle (WEL) questionnaire. Demographic information was obtai ned by interview and questionnaire in the obese and by questionnaire in the non-obese. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by direct measure in the obese and BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height in th e non-obese. RESULTS: At entry to the programme obese women scored significantly less (P < 0.0001) than non-obese women on the WEL (99.4 +/- 34.1 vs 139.0 +/- 24.9 ). Women who completed the programme (n = 65) demonstrated a decrease in wa ist circumference of 3.9 +/- 5.3 cm, a 10.0 +/- 11.5% loss of excess weight and a significant improvement in total WEL score from 106.0 +/- 30.3 to 12 6.5 +/- 28.4. CONCLUSION: Improvements in some dimensions of self-efficacy among obese wo men were of sufficient magnitude to attain scores similar to women of a nor mal weight. The WEL questionnaire may provide an additional measure of succ ess as well as provide positive feedback and encouragement to the client.