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Thesis
Is an Individual's Implicit Theory of Self-Control Predictive of Short-Term Success in a Weight-Loss Program?
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6563
Abstract
Obesity is a leading public health concern with serious health and economic consequences. An emerging area of study in the treatment of obesity is self-control. Selfcontrol is understood as the ability to resist immediate gratification so as to adhere to long-term goals. Previous research has revealed an association between poor response inhibition and a failure to lose weight in participants enrolled in weight loss treatment (Nederkoorn et al., 2006). Additional research also has demonstrated that self-control predicts weight regain following weight loss (Lattimore, Fisher, & Malinowski, 2011). Individuals vary in the extent to which they believe that self-control is a limited (vs. nonlimited) resource. However, little research has attempted to discern whether beliefs about self-control are related to eating behavior in obese adults, or whether such beliefs are predictive of weight loss success. This study examined associations between implicit self-control and several pre-treatment variables among individuals seeking weight loss treatment, including body mass index, food intake, home food environment, disinhibition, food cravings, appetite for palatable food, and self-efficacy for eating control. The study also examined whether implicit theories of self-control measured at baseline predicted short-term outcomes in a weight-loss program. Results indicated that individuals who perceived self-control as a more limited resource reported significantly more urges to eat food, greater preoccupation with food, greater sense of loss of control, and more intense emotional cravings. They also reported greater appetitive responsiveness to food. Results did not support the hypothesis that implicit theories of self-control would be predictive of weight loss, attendance, or food record completion in the first 8 weeks of treatment. In summary, the study found that although implicit beliefs about the limits of self-control were not predictive of short-term outcomes in a weight-loss program, individuals who strongly believed that self-control was a limited resource reported greater difficulty regulating their eating upon presentation for treatment.
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Details
- Title
- Is an Individual's Implicit Theory of Self-Control Predictive of Short-Term Success in a Weight-Loss Program?
- Creators
- Lauren Xenakis - DU
- Contributors
- Meghan L. Butryn (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6563; 991014632206304721