Exploring Beliefs and Behaviors About Weight Loss in Couples

This study explores among couples in which both members are obese how the use of mental
contrasting along with implementation intentions influence intentions and behaviors related
to weight loss (eating healthy and exercise), actual weight loss, as well as potential
reasons (i.e., mediators) why these changes may occur (e.g., social support, changes in
beliefs about weight loss, confidence in being able to eat healthy and diet). In mental
contrasting procedures, people first imagine a desired future (e.g., eating healthy) and
then reflect on the current negative reality (e.g., I snack too much). This process makes
people aware of changes needed in the present to obtain future positive outcomes, and thus
aids in increasing goal commitment and goal pursuit. In implementation intention procedures,
individuals form "if-then" statements about how they will enact their goals in their
everyday lives. Implementation intentions are highly effective at helping individuals
achieve health behavior change. Recent studies suggest that the combined use of mental
contrasting and implementation intentions produce more behavior change than either technique
alone (e.g., diet) In this study, investigators test whether these procedures vary in their
effectiveness when couple members are instructed to focus on themselves versus the
relationship, the latter intended to instill a communal coping mindset (i.e., that losing
weight is an issue that needs to be addressed as a couple enacted through mutually
cooperative behaviors).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Married couples or couples living as married

- living in the same household for at least six months

- both members of couple are obese (BMI > 30).

- must be 18 years or older

- can read and write in English