Thesis
Associations of exercise variety with weight and physical activity outcomes in a behavioral weight loss treatment
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001033
Abstract
While behavioral weight loss (BWL) programs typically prescribe 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), most participants are not successful at adopting and maintaining this level of exercise. Little guidance exists to help treatment providers or participants understand how the amount of variety in MVPA (i.e., how many different forms of exercise an individual does) relates to adoption and maintenance of MVPA. This secondary analysis examined exercise variety among adults (N = 320) enrolled in an 18-month BWL program. This study sought to determine if MVPA variety changes throughout treatment and if variety was a predictor of weight loss outcomes and time spent performing MVPA. Weight, self-reported MVPA variety, and accelerometer- and self-reported physical activity were recorded at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. MVPA variety increased from baseline to 6 months and 12 months and decreased at 18 months. There were significant correlations between variety and MVPA minutes at each time point, and 12-month MVPA variety positively predicted 18-month MVPA minutes. Greater MVPA variety at 12 months significantly predicted greater weight loss at 18 months. These non-experimental results indicate that individuals who do have a relatively greater number of different exercise activities have the best long-term outcomes. Future studies should examine the causal influence of exercise variety on outcomes by manipulating levels of variety.
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Details
- Title
- Associations of exercise variety with weight and physical activity outcomes in a behavioral weight loss treatment
- Creators
- Monica C. Martinez
- Contributors
- Meghan L. Butryn (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vi, 20 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695141304721