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. 2012 Sep;19(3):351-8.
doi: 10.1007/s12529-011-9178-1.

Self-weighing frequency is associated with weight gain prevention over 2 years among working adults

Jeffrey J VanWormer  1 , Jennifer A Linde, Lisa J Harnack, Steven D Stovitz, Robert W Jeffery
Affiliations

Self-weighing frequency is associated with weight gain prevention over 2 years among working adults

Jeffrey J VanWormer et al. Int J Behav Med. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the association between self-weighing frequency and weight gain prevention, particularly in worksite populations.

Purpose: The degree to which self-weighing frequency predicted 2-year body weight change in working adults was examined.

Method: The association between self-weighing frequency (monthly or less, weekly, daily, or more) and 24-month weight change was analyzed in a prospective cohort analysis (n = 1,222) as part of the larger HealthWorks trial.

Results: There was a significant interaction between follow-up self-weighing frequency and baseline body mass index. The difference in weight change ranged from -4.4 ± 0.8 kg weight loss among obese daily self-weighers to 2.1 ± 0.4 kg weight gain for participants at a healthy weight who reported monthly self-weighing.

Conclusion: More frequent self-weighing seemed to be most beneficial for obese individuals. These findings may aid in the refinement of self-weighing frequency recommendations used in the context of weight management interventions.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00708461.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Least-square adjusted weight change by follow-up self-weighing frequency and baseline body mass index categories of HealthWorks study participants (n=1,222).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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