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The relation of grit to weight loss maintenance outcomes
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The relation of grit to weight loss maintenance outcomes

Christine C. Call, Laura D'Adamo, Nicole T. Crane, Charlotte J. Hagerman and Meghan L. Butryn
Journal of contextual behavioral science, v 24
Apr 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.03.008
PMID: 35496324
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9053131View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

Acceptance and commitment therapy Behavioral weight loss Grit Obesity Weight loss maintenance
Biological, genetic, and environmental factors make weight loss very difficult. Acceptance-based behavioral treatment (ABT) supplements standard behavioral treatments (BT) for obesity by teaching skills to accept the discomfort inherent to weight control behaviors and prioritize long-term, values-based goals. Grit, the ability to persevere in goal pursuit, overlaps conceptually with ABT principles and may predict outcomes in ABT. During a randomized controlled trial comparing three weight loss interventions (BT, BT with an emphasis on physical activity [BT + PA], ABT with an emphasis on physical activity [ABT + PA]), this study examined if grit predicted weight loss, intervention engagement (session attendance and dietary self-monitoring), and perceived intervention effectiveness, and whether intervention condition moderated these relationships. Participants (N = 309) with overweight/obesity enrolled in an 18-month weight loss intervention completed the Short Grit Scale at baseline. Weight and PA were measured at baseline, during the intervention (12 and 18 months), and at follow-up (24 and 36 months). Session attendance and dietary self-monitoring were assessed throughout the intervention, and perceived intervention effectiveness at end-of-intervention. The relation of grit to several outcomes depended on condition. In ABT + PA, but not BT or BT + PA, lower grit related to higher weight loss at 12 and 24 months, session attendance, and perceived intervention effectiveness. Grit was not related to PA or dietary self-monitoring in any condition. ABT's focus on building skills to facilitate long-term goal pursuit may be unique and beneficial to those with lower grit. Those with higher grit may already possess ABT-consistent skills and benefit less from ABT. Research on trait-level characteristics like grit in relation to weight must be cautious not to reinforce weight bias; rather, this work suggests that an evidence-based intervention (ABT) may be well-suited to those with lower grit levels seeking weight loss. •We examined grit, perseverance in long-term goal pursuit, in obesity treatments.•Grit predicted outcomes in acceptance-based behavioral treatment (ABT) for obesity.•Lower levels of grit related to greater 12- and 24-month weight losses in ABT.•Lower levels of grit related to greater perceived intervention effectiveness in ABT.•Lower levels of grit related to greater session attendance in ABT.

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13 Record Views
4 citations in Web of Science
3 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#5 Gender Equality
#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Clinical
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