Behavioral treatments for obesity: Eating habits revisited

An assumption implicit in behavioral treatments for obesity is that subjects engage in prescribed behavior change strategies and that these changes mediate the observed weight loss. Numerous investigations of this important issue have yielded distinctly contradictory results that may be related to the variations in assessment formats utilized. This study attempted to clarify this important and confusing area by providing assessment of each subject's eating habits from three distinct perspectives (self-report questionnaires, therapist ratings, spouse ratings). the three eating habit assessment formats evidenced equally strong and positive associations with weight loss in addition to showing considerable shared variance as predictors of weight loss. These findings are interpreted as providing support for the importance of modifying obese patients' eating and exercise habits.