Predicting weight loss using psychological and behavioral factors: The pounds lost trial

Abstract

Context: Eating habits and food craving are strongly correlated with weight status. It is currently not well understood how psychological and behavioral factors influence both weight loss and weight regain. Objective: To examine the associations between psychological and behavioral predictors with weight changes and energy intake in a randomized controlled trial on weight loss. Design and setting: The Prevention of Obesity Using Novel Dietary Strategies is a dietary intervention trial that examined the efficacy of 4 diets on weight loss over 2 years. Participants were 811 overweight (body mass index, 25-40.9 kg/m2; age, 30-70 years) otherwise healthy adults. Results: Every 1-point increase in craving score for high-fat foods at baseline was associated with greater weight loss (-1.62 kg, P =.0004) and a decrease in energy intake (r = -0.10, P =.01) and fat intake (r = -0.16, P