The United States is in the midst of an obesity epidemic and innovative approaches to address this problem are urgently needed. Although traditional behavioral treatment is the most empirically validated approach for weight loss, it typically results in poor maintenance of weight control behaviors, and within three to five years most participants in these programs will have regained the weight they originally lost. Standard behavioral weight loss treatment might be improved by incorporating components that (a) bolster participants'commitment to behavior change, (b) build distress tolerance skills and (c) promote mindful awareness of eating behaviors and goals. Such components are well- represented within newer models of behavior therapies that incorporate principles and technologies of mindfulness, experiential awareness, values for changing behavior, acceptance of distressing internal experiences, and willingness to tolerate distress in the service of valued behavior change. The primary goal of the proposed project is to determine if an innovative behavioral weight loss program that incorporates new developments from the field of behavior therapy produces superior weight control than standard behavioral treatment. A sample of 128 adults with a BMI of 27 to 40 kg/m2 will be recruited via media advertisements in the greater Philadelphia community to participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: standard behavioral treatment (SBT) or acceptance-based behavioral treatment (ABBT). Each treatment will be delivered in a group format on a weekly, and then bi-weekly, basis. Treatment will last 40 weeks: weeks 1-20 focus on weight loss, while weeks 21-40 partially shift focus to weight loss maintenance. Assessments will be completed at baseline, 10 weeks, 20 weeks (i.e., end of weight loss treatment), 40 weeks (i.e., end of weight loss maintenance treatment), and at 6-month follow-up.

Public Health Relevance

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. Standard behavioral treatment for obesity effectively induces weight loss, but long-term maintenance of weight loss remains challenging. The primary aim of the proposed study is to develop and conduct a preliminary evaluation of an innovative, acceptance-based behavioral weight loss treatment that is designed to promote long-term adherence to healthy eating and physical activity behaviors and thereby improve weight loss maintenance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21DK080430-01A2
Application #
7659805
Study Section
Psychosocial Risk and Disease Prevention Study Section (PRDP)
Program Officer
Kuczmarski, Robert J
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$229,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Drexel University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
002604817
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
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