Self-Weighing: an Ecological Momentary Assessment
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Obesity Weight Loss |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Endocrinology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 26 |
| Updated: | 10/6/2018 |
| Start Date: | June 1, 2017 |
| End Date: | December 29, 2017 |
Self-weighing's Psychological Effects: a Randomized Controlled Trial Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
The primary objective of this study is to experimentally test the momentary and more distal
psychological effects of daily self weighing as compared to an active control group.
psychological effects of daily self weighing as compared to an active control group.
Two significant public health problems, obesity and eating disorders, are prevalent during
emerging adulthood, a unique stage of life between ages 18 and 25. Over half of emerging
adults experience weight gain and/or disordered eating (e.g. overly restrictive dieting,
binge eating); both of which contribute to obesity. Because many emerging adults attend
college, the college community represents a viable population for implementing interventions
to prevent weight gain, while not triggering disordered eating.
A promising strategy for preventing weight gain during college is daily self-weighing, an
example of behavioral self-monitoring, an evidence-based strategy for weight control.
Self-monitoring is fundamental to behavior change: feedback allows the user to evaluate
progress in relation to a goal and modify behavior. Despite self-monitoring being
recommended, some evidence suggests that self-monitoring strategies, self-weighing in
particular, may have unintended psychological consequences; the concern being that negative
mood states could precipitate disordered eating. Alternatively, other evidence suggests
positive psychological outcomes related to daily self-weighing in young adults.
Technological advances have allowed for users to track personal health information in real
time. Given that 60% of U.S. adults track weight, diet, or exercise, and 92% of adults aged
18-34 own a smartphone, electronic self-monitoring is feasible in this population. What is
less known is individuals' psychological and behavioral response to self-monitoring. This
original, important study will contribute to the fields of obesity and eating disorders and
experimentally test the psychological effects of this daily weight-control intervention.
emerging adulthood, a unique stage of life between ages 18 and 25. Over half of emerging
adults experience weight gain and/or disordered eating (e.g. overly restrictive dieting,
binge eating); both of which contribute to obesity. Because many emerging adults attend
college, the college community represents a viable population for implementing interventions
to prevent weight gain, while not triggering disordered eating.
A promising strategy for preventing weight gain during college is daily self-weighing, an
example of behavioral self-monitoring, an evidence-based strategy for weight control.
Self-monitoring is fundamental to behavior change: feedback allows the user to evaluate
progress in relation to a goal and modify behavior. Despite self-monitoring being
recommended, some evidence suggests that self-monitoring strategies, self-weighing in
particular, may have unintended psychological consequences; the concern being that negative
mood states could precipitate disordered eating. Alternatively, other evidence suggests
positive psychological outcomes related to daily self-weighing in young adults.
Technological advances have allowed for users to track personal health information in real
time. Given that 60% of U.S. adults track weight, diet, or exercise, and 92% of adults aged
18-34 own a smartphone, electronic self-monitoring is feasible in this population. What is
less known is individuals' psychological and behavioral response to self-monitoring. This
original, important study will contribute to the fields of obesity and eating disorders and
experimentally test the psychological effects of this daily weight-control intervention.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Female
- Between the ages of 18 and 26
- UD student
- Owns a smart phone
- If participant does not currently have an eating disorder or has never had one in the
past
Exclusion Criteria:
- If participant currently has an eating disorder or has had one in the past
- If participant answers "yes" to 3 or more items in SCOFF
We found this trial at
1
site
Click here to add this to my saved trials
