One in eight people live with obesity, according to recent data from WHO. However, few studies ex – plore which factors influence the success of weight loss programs. A recent study in Obesity Reviews provides insight into which factors impact adherence to programs designed for populations with obesity or who are overweight.
WHO defines adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behavior— taking medication, following a diet, and/or executing lifestyle changes— corresponds with agreed recommendations from a health care provider.” Deng Wang, PhD, and colleagues argued that this definition is not ideal for weight loss programs since multiple factors influence adherence. Instead of a singular definition, they envisioned a systematic understanding of which factors improve or deter adherence.
To help create a systematic understanding, the researchers set out to identify the most important adherence factors. They screened studies on weight loss programs between 2008 and April 13, 2022. Studies had to be peer-reviewed, written in English, and focused on weight loss in obese or overweight populations to be included—21studies met inclusion criteria.
The researchers found 46 adherence factors across the studies and organized them into six thematic groups: sociodemographic, physical activity, dietary, pharmacological, behavioral, and multi-intervention.
Most Influential Factors
Across all six categories, the most impactful factors were self-monitoring, financial incentives, and multi-intervention program design. The study’s findings also demonstrated the importance of incorporating behavioral strategies into weight loss programs.
“Effective interventions require the recognition that adherence is an inter – active set of behaviors influenced by individual, social, and environmental factors,” Dr. Wang and colleagues concluded
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