Goal-setting and spouse involvement in the treatment of obesity

• Published in: Behaviour research and therapy Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 227 - 242
• Main Authors: Dubbert, Patricia M., Wilson, G.Terence
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1984; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Behavior Therapy - methods; Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Exercise Therapy; Female; Goals; Humans; Male; Marriage; Medical sciences; Obesity - therapy; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotherapy, Group - methods; Treatments; Human; Marital relation; Obesity; Body image; Body weight; Depression; Affective disorder; Treatment; Follow up study; Sexuality; Family environment; Self control; Behavior therapy; Alimentary behavior disturbance; Social support
• ISSN: 0005-7967; 1873-622X
• DOI: 10.1016/0005-7967(84)90003-2

Two types of goal-setting (daily vs weekly) and two levels of spouse involvement (couples vs individual treatment) were evaluated in a 19-week behavioral weight-control program. Forty-seven married Ss with spouses willing to participate were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: Couples/Weekly Goals, Couples/Daily Goals, Individual/Weekly Goals, Individual/Daily Goals. At posttreatment, Ss had lost an average of 171b and reduced their percent over ideal weight from 49 to 36%. Losses were maintained at the 6-month clinic follow-up. Weight losses for the two goal-setting conditions and the two spouse treatments did not differ. Improvements were observed in resting pulse, blood pressure and step-test time, and these were maintained at the 6-month follow-up. Adherence to caloric self-monitoring, self-reported exercise adherence and marital satisfaction were significantly correlated with weight loss. Decreases in depression and improvements in body-image satisfaction were also observed. Mail and telephone follow-up at 12 and 30 months posttreatment indicated satisfactory maintenance for the majority of Ss. Factors associated with maintenance and relapse during long-term follow up are discussed.