Problem solving, treatment adherence, and weight-loss outcome among women participating in lifestyle treatment for obesity.

Objective: This study examined whether improvements in problem-solving abilities mediate the relation between treatment adherence and weight-loss outcome in the behavioral treatment of obesity.

Method: 272 women (mean+/-SD age=59.4+/-6.

The contributions of weight loss and increased physical fitness to improvements in health-related quality of life.

The relative contribution of obesity versus poor fitness to adverse health outcomes and diminished quality of life remains an area of controversy. Indeed, some researchers contend that poor cardiorespiratory fitness represents a greater threat to health and health-related quality of life than excess body weight. We addressed this issue by providing 298 obese 50-75 year-old women with a six-month lifestyle intervention that incorporated a low-calorie eating pattern coupled with an aerobic exercise program consisting of 30 min/day of brisk walking.

Changing weight-loss expectations: a randomized pilot study.

Participants in weight-loss programs expect unreasonably large weight losses and believe that such reductions will produce dramatic improvements in their lives. The failure to achieve such benefits may contribute to poor maintenance of lost weight. This randomized pilot study investigated a new cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to modify unrealistic expectations regarding weight loss and its likely impact on appearance, attractiveness, and self-esteem.