1. ¹University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, MN, USA
2. ²University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
3. ³HealthPartners Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Correspondence: Dr JA Linde, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015, USA. E-mail: linde@epi.umn.edu

Received 30 November 2004; Revised 21 February 2005; Accepted 23 March 2005; Published online 10 May 2005.

Abstract

Participants in weight loss programs typically set unrealistically high weight loss goals that some believe are detrimental to success. This study examined outcomes associated with goal and ideal body mass index (BMI). Participants (N=1801) were enrolled in a weight loss trial comprised of low-intensity mail or telephone interventions vs usual care. Goal and ideal weight losses were assessed by asking participants how many pounds they expect to lose in the program (goal) and how much they would like to weigh (ideal). Goal and ideal weight losses were unrealistically high (men: -16 and -19%, women: -21 and -27%). For women, less realistic goals were associated with greater weight loss at 24 months. Goals were not associated with participation or weight loss for men. Results are more supportive of the idea that higher goals motivate women to lose weight than of the hypothesis that high goals undermine effort.