Correlates of weight loss and its maintenance over two years of follow-up among middle-aged men.

This paper analyzes demographic, social, psychological, and behavioral correlates of weight loss and maintenance in a group of 89 middle-aged men. Measures were collected before and after a 15-week intervention program and at 3-month and 1-year follow-up evaluations. Associations were examined through 2 years of follow-up observation. Principal findings were (a) a strong inverse relationship between prior participation in an organized weight control program and both short- and long-term weight loss; (b) a positive association between efficacy expectations and weight loss; (c) a positive association between attendance at treatment sessions and weight loss; (d) an inverse relationship between spouse attendance and weight loss; and (e) positive associations between weight loss and perceived social support, reported improvement in eating behavior, reported improvement in exercise behavior, and affirmative response to relapse episodes following treatment.