Increasing rates of overweight and obesity and the co-morbidities associated with excess weight and fat have been reported in both affluent and developing countries (Kalamara et. al, 2001; World Health Organization, 2003), with a higher prevalence of obesity in women (Kalamara et. al, 2001). In the United States, the prevalence of obesity exceeds 30% in most age and sex groups (Carroll et. al, 2010). Obesity is a known risk factor for many chronic diseases and is associated with an increase in mortality (United States Human and Health Services, 2001). In 2007, America on the Move Foundation reported that fifty-nine percent of Americans were trying to lose weight (America On the Move Foundation, 2007). Current evidence-based guidelines recommend that individuals attempting to lose weight use both reduced caloric intake and increased physical activity to achieve weight loss goals safely and healthfully (American Dietetic Association, 2009).
A number of studies have explored weight loss practices of individuals trying to lose weight. Galuska et. al (2006) found that most common practices among those trying to lose weight included eating less food, eating less fat, exercising and switching to foods with lower calories. These results support those of Heaton & Levy (1993), which indicated that dieting and exercise were the most common practices and counting calories was the most popular dieting behavior, which 25% of 1030 participants practiced. Blank et. al (2006) examined dietary and physical activity behaviors of adults successful at losing and maintaining weight. Results indicated that significantly more successful versus non-successful weight losers were likely to plan meals (35.9% vs. 24.9%), track calories (17.7% vs. 8.8%), track fat (16.4% vs. 6.6%), and exercise for 30 minutes or more daily (46.9% vs. 37.5%). These practices are consistent with evidence-based guidelines for losing and managing weight safely and effectively (ADA, 2009).
Several other studies have explored the topic of weight loss practices, including exercise and dietary behaviors, in relation to body size satisfaction, body image, and related but unique constructs (Badmin, 2002; Ainsworth, 2009; Andersen, 2009; Agarwal, 2010). Body size satisfaction reflects an individual’s feelings and thoughts about his or her body (Anderson, 2002). Body image reflects how close a person’s actual shape is to their ideal shape (Badmin 2002). Badmin et. al (2002) found that body dissatisfaction was predicted by negative reasons for exercise, actually body mass, and ideal body mass. These three predictors accounted for 40% of the variance in body dissatisfaction. Ainsworth et. al (2008) examined whether body size satisfaction was associated with trying to lose weight or specific weight control practices among US adults. It was found that women dissatisfied with their body size use diet more but not physical activity/exercise to try to lose weight, while men somewhat satisfied with body size are more likely to use physical activity/exercise or a combination of both diet and physical activity/exercise to try to lose weight. Similarly, Andersen et. al (2009) explored weight perception and weight loss attempts in a study of 9740 adults. Fifty-one percent of the sample reported using dietary strategies to lose weight and the same percentage used physical activity strategies to lose weight. The findings in the above mentioned studies indicate that constructs such as body size satisfaction and body image have an influential role in dietary, physical, and other weight loss strategies among individuals trying to lose weight.
Weight satisfaction reflects how close a person’s actual weight is to their ideal weight and can be considered a unique construct of body image (Badmin, 2002). Studies related to weight satisfaction have explored the association of weight satisfaction and weight loss attempts (Jankauskiene, 2005; Arden, 2009). Jankauskiene et. al (2005) examined body weight satisfaction and weight loss attempts in a study of women involved in fitness activity. It was found that 64.4% of women were dissatisfied with their body weight. Additionally, overweight and obese women reported more attempts to lose weight than did women with lower BMI. However, specific weight loss practices were not examined. A limitation of this study was the all-female sample. Arden et. al (2009) studied explored how ideal weight related to weight satisfaction and health practices. In a large sample of 15,221 men and 4,126 women, only 47.3% of men and 38.8% of women indicated they were satisfied with their body weight; only 2% of obese men and one obese woman reported satisfaction with their weight. However, the intention to change body weight was prevalent among 90.9% of men and 89.6% of women. This represents a gap of understanding of weight satisfaction and intention to lose weight. Further exploration of weight satisfaction and weight loss attempts is required to confirm these associations as well as better understand the relationship of weight satisfaction and attempting to lose weight.
While weight satisfaction has been associated with weight loss attempts, the specific weight loss/control practices have not been explored. Although other studies have examined weight loss practices in relation to weight perception, perceived weight status, and body size satisfaction (Badmin, 2002; Ainsworth, 2009; Andersen, 2009; Agarwal, 2010), search of the literature did not find any studies examining the relationship of weight satisfaction and weight loss practices. As mentioned earlier, the studies cited indicate that these constructs may be influential in weight loss practices of individuals trying to lose weight. However, weight satisfaction is a construct unique from body size satisfaction, body image, and other related constructs.
The above mentioned statements and gaps cited justify the relevance of the research investigating the association between weight satisfaction and weight loss practices. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between weight satisfaction and weight loss practices. Exploration of this association may provide information valuable to healthcare practitioners working with individuals attempting to lose weight. By determining which weight loss practices are being used by individuals trying to lose weight, healthcare practitioners may be able to better advise their patients or clients and help them achieve their weight loss goals safely and effectively.
