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.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Perri MG, Fuller PR . Success and failure in the treatment of obesity: where do we go from here? Med Exer Nutr Health 1995; 4: 255–272.
Blackburn G . Effect of degree of weight loss on health benefits. Obes Res 1995; 3: 211s–216s.
Foster GD, Wadden TA, Vogt RA, Brewer G . What is a reasonable weight loss? Patients' expectations and evaluations of obesity treatment outcomes. J Consult Clin Psychol 1997; 65: 79–85.
Wadden TA, Womble LG, Sarwer DB, Berkowitz RI, Clark VL, Foster GD . Great expectations: ‘I’m losing 25% of my weight no matter what you say'. J Consult Clin Psychol 2003; 71: 1084–1089.
Foster GD, Wadden TA, Phelan S, Sarwer DB, Sanderson RS . Obese patients' perceptions of treatment outcomes and the factors that influence them. Arch Int Med 2001; 161: 2133–2139.
Kincey J . Target setting, self-reinforcement pattern and locus of control orientation as predictors of outcome in a behavioural weight-loss programme. Beh Res Ther 1980; 18: 139–145.
Linde JA, Jeffery RW, Finch EA, Ng DM, Rothman AJ . Are unrealistic weight loss goals associated with outcomes for overweight women? Obes Res 2004; 12: 569–576.
Bonato DP, Boland FJ . Predictors of weight loss at the end of treatment and 1–year follow-up for a behavioral weight loss program. Int J Eat Disord 1987; 6: 573–577.
Bradley I, Poser EG, Johnson JA . Outcome expectation ratings as predictors of success in weight reduction. J Clin Psychol 1980; 36: 500–502.
Jeffery RW, McGuire MT, Brelje KL, Pronk NP, Boyle RG, Hase KA, Boucher JL . Recruitment to mail and telephone interventions for obesity in a managed care environment: the Weigh-To-Be project. Am J Man Care 2004; 10: 378–382.
Jeffery RW, Sherwood NE, Brelje K, Pronk NP, Boyle RG, Boucher JL, Hase K . Mail and phone interventions for weight loss in a managed-care setting: Weigh-To-Be one-year outcomes. Int J Obes 2003; 27: 1584–1592.
Palta M, Prineas RJ, Berman R, Hannan P . Comparison of self-reported and measured height and weight. Am J Epidemiol 1982; 115: 223–230.
SAS OnlineDoc. Version 8. [ http://www.epi.umn.edu/sas8docs/ ].
Cohen J . Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: Hillsdale, NJ; 1988.
Linde JA, Jeffery RW, Levy RL, Sherwood NE, Utter J, Pronk NP, Boyle RG . Binge eating disorder, weight control self-efficacy, and depression in overweight men and women. Int J Obes 2004; 28: 418–425.
Masheb RM, Grilo CM . Weight loss expectations in patients with binge-eating disorder. Obes Res 2002; 10: 309–314.
Fontaine KR, Cheskin LJ . Self-efficacy, attendance, and weight loss in obesity treatment. Addict Behav 1997; 22: 567–570.
Jeffery RW, Drewnowski A, Epstein LH, Stunkard AJ, Wilson GT, Wing RR, Hill DR . Long-term maintenance of weight loss: current status. Health Psychol 2000; 19: 5s–16s.
Klem ML, Wing RR, McGuire MT, Seagle HM, Hill JO . A descriptive study of individuals successful at long-term maintenance of substantial weight loss. Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 66: 239–246.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant 1R01-DK53826.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Linde, J., Jeffery, R., Levy, R. et al. Weight loss goals and treatment outcomes among overweight men and women enrolled in a weight loss trial. Int J Obes 29, 1002–1005 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802990
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802990
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Body shape expectations and self-ideal body shape discrepancy in women seeking bariatric surgery: a cross-sectional study
BMC Obesity (2014)
-
Weight Loss Expectations of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Candidates Compared to Clinically Expected Weight Loss Outcomes 1-Year Post-surgery
Obesity Surgery (2013)
-
Weight Loss Goals Among African‐American Women With Type 2 Diabetes in a Behavioral Weight Control Program
Obesity (2011)
-
Discrepancy Between Ideal and Realistic Goal Weights in Three Bariatric Procedures: Who Is Likely to Be Unrealistic?
Obesity Surgery (2010)
-
Initiation and Maintenance of Weight Loss after Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. The role of Outcome Expectation and Satisfaction with the Psychosocial Outcome
Obesity Surgery (2009)