Table 2.
Engagement in weight loss strategies measured by the Weight Management Strategies Questionnaire at 6 months by self-weighing frequency among intervention participants in the WEIGH study, 2011 (n=46)*
| Weight Control Strategies | Weighing everyday (n=23) |
Weighing less than 7 days (n=23) |
P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number (%) | |||
| Reduced caloric intake by 500–1000 calories per day | 14 (30%) | 5 (11%) | 0.007 |
| Cut out/reduced sweets or junk food | 17 (37%) | 11 (24%) | 0.07 |
| Cut out/reduced between meal snacks | 17 (37%) | 8 (17%) | 0.008 |
| Cut out/reduced late night snacking | 21 (46%) | 17 (37%) | 0.12 |
| Ate less meat | 10 (22%) | 8 (17%) | 0.55 |
| Ate less carbohydrates | 11 (24%) | 8 (17%) | 0.37 |
| Ate less fat | 14 (30%) | 11 (24%) | 0.38 |
| Reduced portion sizes | 14 (30%) | 10 (22%) | 0.24 |
| Decreased number of times ate out at fast food restaurants | 18 (39%) | 13 (28%) | 0.12 |
| Decreased number of times that ate out at other restaurants | 14 (30%) | 6 (13%) | 0.02 |
| Changed food preparation techniques | 10 (22%) | 6 (14%) | 0.22 |
| Drank less alcohol or changed type of alcoholic drink to reduce calories | 12 (26%) | 11 (24%) | 0.77 |
| Drank less fruit juice or fruit drinks (e.g., 100% fruit juice, fruit punch, lemonade) | 16 (35%) | 12 (26%) | 0.23 |
| Drank less high calorie coffee drinks (e.g., caramel macchiato, cafe mocha) | 15 (33%) | 17 (37%) | 0.52 |
| Increased fruit and vegetable consumption | 17 (37%) | 12 (26%) | 0.13 |
| Increased water consumption | 17 (37%) | 14 (30%) | 0.35 |
| Used frozen entrees such as Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones | 9 (20%) | 6 (13%) | 0.35 |
| Used liquid meal replacements such as Slim Fast | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 1.0 |
| Followed a structured meal plan that limited choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (e.g., nutrisystem meals) | 4 (9%) | 2 (4%) | 0.67 |
| Used meal replacement bars such as Power Bars or Zone bars | 1 (2%) | 1 (2%) | 1.0 |
| Decreased frequency or portion sizes of desserts | 19 (41%) | 9 (20%) | 0.003 |
| Skipped meals | 1 (2%) | 3 (7%) | 0.61 |
| Made one or two small changes to activity every day | 12 (26%) | 4 (9%) | 0.01 |
| Used the stairs instead of the elevator | 16 (35%) | 10 (22%) | 0.07 |
| Wore a pedometer | 3 (7%) | 1 (2%) | 0.61 |
| Reduced the amount of time watching TV | 11 (24%) | 3 (7%) | 0.01 |
| Used home exercise equipment | 3 (7%) | 2 (4%) | 1.0 |
| Exercised at a gym or participated in an exercise class | 9 (20%) | 8 (17%) | 0.76 |
| Exercised with a personal trainer | 0 (0%) | 1 (2%) | 1.0 |
| Exercised for a period of 30 minutes or more | 19 (41%) | 9 (20%) | 0.003 |
| Recorded or graphed physical activity | 5 (11%) | 2 (4%) | 0.41 |
| Recorded or wrote down the type and quantity of food eaten | 6 (13%) | 3 (7%) | 0.46 |
| Removed high calorie foods (e.g., cakes, cookies, or candy) from home or office | 18 (39%) | 7 (15%) | 0.001 |
| Attended or participated in a structured weight loss group or program (e.g., Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig) | 2 (4%) | 1 (2%) | 1.0 |
| Followed a specific weight loss diet (e.g. Atkins, South Beach Diet) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 1.0 |
| Made one or two small changes to your diet every day | 12 (26%) | 7 (15%) | 0.13 |
| Increased daily steps | 17 (37%) | 9 (20%) | 0.02 |
*
N=46 because one participant did not complete the WMSQ at baseline.