Cal Poly study examines how to maintain weight loss over the long term

A Cal Poly professor’s research published Wednesday offers the “first large-scale study” that allows participants to define for themselves what helped them lose weight long term, according to a university news release.

Cal Poly kinesiology and public health professor Suzanne Phelan and other researchers looked at more than 6,000 Weight Watchers members who averaged 50 pounds of weight loss and kept that weight off for more than three years. The study shows that 20% of Americans who lost weight were able to maintain their lower weight over the long term.

The study was published in Obesity: The Journal of The Obesity Society and funded by WW International Inc. and the William and Linda Frost Fund at Cal Poly.

Weight Watchers changed its brand name to WW in 2018, short for “wellness that works” — an attempt to shift focus away from a culture of tracking dieting and weight loss.

Phelan said in the news release that weight-loss maintainers attributed their success to perseverance through setbacks — one of the “most impressive findings” according to Phelan.

“Weight-loss maintainers saw setbacks as part of their successful journey,” Phelan said. “Many weight-loss maintainers described getting back on track at the next meal or the next day and measuring overall success based on long-term goals.”

Motivations for weight loss

Study participants answered open-ended questions about what motivated them to lose weight and their strategies for maintaining the weight loss, according to the news release. Machine learning then categorized the responses.

Persevering despite setbacks, regularly looking back at what their life was like before the weight loss and remaining focused on their health were three main factors to success, according to the study.

Some of the study’s participants were motivated by health issues like diabetes and heart conditions. Others maintained weight loss due to concerns of “mobility, appearance, suggestions from family or friends and the need for change because they often felt tired,” according to the news release.

Tips from participants

Participants encouraged others to take their long-term goals day by day and to track what they eat consistently. Participants also used Weight Watchers workshops to “reset mentally” after inevitable setbacks.

Phelan’s research showed downsides, such as the cost of buying new clothes, “unexpected criticism” from people, sagging skin and the work it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

However, the “most important changes” for participants were mental and physical health, confidence and body image.

“I’ve seen firsthand that someone’s mindset and perspective are crucial to help them build healthy habits and drive sustainable weight loss and management,” Weight Watchers chief scientific officer Gary Foster said in the news release. “We hope that these findings encourage other people going through a similar journey and equip them with the tools that they need to optimize their own success.”