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The Gap between Expectations and Reality of Exercise‐Induced Weight Loss Is Associated with Discouragement
Author(s) -
Kyle Theodore,
Thomas Diana
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.594.12
Subject(s) - weight loss , analysis of variance , psychological intervention , medicine , psychology , repeated measures design , demography , obesity , psychiatry , sociology , statistics , mathematics
Background Exercise interventions result in modest weight loss, yet exercise is frequently prescribed for weight loss. The relationship between exercise expectations and persistence is unknown. Purpose To determine predictors of individuals more likely to be discouraged when exercise does not cause weight loss. Methods Representative samples of 3,509 U.S. adults were recruited in Aug‐Oct 2014 for anonymous, voluntary online surveys. Respondents were asked about beliefs regarding exercise and weight loss and their perceived weight status. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed in JMP® Pro 11.0.0 (2013, Cary, NC) considering input variables of age, gender, income, perceived weight status (WS), belief that exercise is a very effective way to lose weight (BE), and response time. A second ANOVA tested interaction terms between WS, BE, age, and gender. Results BE was common (73% of respondents). The linear model adjusted R 2 was 0.06. Stronger BE (p<0.001) and higher WS (p=0.04) positively predicted discouragement with exercise. Longer response time was also a significant predictor (p=0.05). Being female had borderline significance for higher discouragement (p=0.06). The second model resulted in an adjusted R 2 of 0.11 and the WS‐BE interaction term was a significant positive predictor of discouragement (p=0.01). Conclusions Individuals with higher WS and BE are more likely to become discouraged when exercise does not lead to satisfactory weight loss. Prescribing exercise for weight loss might contribute to expectations associated with discouragement about exercise. Future studies should evaluate ways to set expectations that will lead to more persistent exercise.