Happiness Factors in Weight Loss Maintenance

Abstract

Maintaining weight loss long-term is a difficult challenge for most people. Weight loss is often temporary and results in progressive weight regain. Previous research has focused on extension of weight loss methods and behavioral changes through the weight loss maintenance period without specific attention to skills specific to the maintenance phase. Further, emotional health has largely gone untested for how positive psychology influences successful long-term weight loss. We employed quantitative methodologies with a descriptive design, using individuals who self-attested to losing over 5% of their highest body weight and the Adult Hope Scale to measure participants’ perceptions of their positive motivational state in weight loss maintenance. Calculations of frequencies and percentages, including median and interquartile range where appropriate, were conducted and figures and tables were used to compare demographic statistics. The findings showed that participants scored high on levels of agency (i.e., goal-setting skills) and pathway (i.e., implementation skills) scores with high overall hope scores in relation to their successful long-term weight loss. The findings indicate potential key skills to weight loss maintenance, with positive emotional health skills being indicated as potential healthy markers for positive weight regulation long-term.

Keywords

• Behavioral counseling, obesity treatment, positive psychology, weight loss, weight loss maintenance