Patterns of self-weighing behavior and weight change in a weight loss trial

Background/Objectives: Regular self-weighing has been associated with weight loss and maintenance in adults enrolled in a behavioral weight loss intervention; however, few studies have examined the patterns of adherence to a self-weighing protocol. The study aims were to (1) identify patterns of self-weighing behavior; and (2) examine adherence to energy intake and step goals and weight change by self-weighing patterns. Subjects/Methods: This was a secondary analysis of self-monitoring and assessment weight data from a 12-month behavioral weight loss intervention study. Each participant was given a scale that was Wi-Fi-enabled and transmitted the date-stamped weight data to a central server. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct classes of trajectories based on the number of days participants self-weighed over 51 weeks. Results: The sample ( N =148) was 90.5% female, 81.1% non-Hispanic white, with a mean (s.d.) age of 51.3 (10.1) years, had completed an average of 16.4 (2.8) years of education and had mean body mass index of 34.1 (4.6) kg m −2 . Three patterns of self-weighing were identified: high/consistent ( n =111, 75.0% self-weighed over 6 days per week regularly); moderate/declined ( n =24, 16.2% declined from 4–5 to 2 days per week gradually); and minimal/declined ( n =13, 8.8% declined from 5–6 to 0 days per week after week 33). The high/consistent group achieved greater weight loss than either the moderate/declined and minimal/declined groups at 6 months (−10.19%±5.78%, −5.45%±4.73% and −2.00%±4.58%) and 12 months (−9.90%±8.16%, −5.62%±6.28% and 0.65%±3.58%), respectively ( P