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Cited by 483Eating Disorders and BehaviorsObesity, Physical Activity, DietNutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Consistent Self‐monitoring of Weight: A Key Component of Successful Weight Loss Maintenance

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Butryn, Meghan L., Phelan, Suzanne, Hill, James O., Wing, Rena R.·2007·Obesity
DOI 10.1038/oby.2007.368
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Abstract

Objective: The objectives were to investigate the characteristics associated with frequent self‐weighing and the relationship between self‐weighing and weight loss maintenance. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants (n = 3003) were members of the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) who had lost ≥30 lbs, kept it off for ≥1 year, and had been administered the self‐weighing frequency assessment used for this study at baseline (i.e., entry to the NWCR). Of these, 82% also completed the one‐year follow‐up assessment. Results: At baseline, 36.2% of participants reported weighing themselves at least once per day, and more frequent weighing was associated with lower BMI and higher scores on disinhibition and cognitive restraint, although both scores remained within normal ranges. Weight gain at 1‐year follow‐up was significantly greater for participants whose self‐weighing frequency decreased between baseline and one year (4.0 ± 6.3 kg) compared with those whose frequency increased (1.1 ± 6.5 kg) or remained the same (1.8 ± 5.3 kg). Participants who decreased their frequency of self‐weighing were more likely to report increases in their percentage of caloric intake from fat and in disinhibition, and decreases in cognitive restraint. However, change in self‐weighing frequency was independently associated with weight change. Discussion: Consistent self‐weighing may help individuals maintain their successful weight loss by allowing them to catch weight gains before they escalate and make behavior changes to prevent additional weight gain. While change in self‐weighing frequency is a marker for changes in other parameters of weight control, decreasing self‐weighing frequency is also independently associated with greater weight gain.

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  • Self-monitoring and accountability mechanisms are consistent predictors of long-term success in weight management.

    “Self-monitoring and accountability mechanisms are consistent predictors of long-term success.”

    From Weight maintenance after discontinuation of GLP-1 therapies (2026) · cites this paper as [90]

    The Discussion (page not provided) reports that maintaining or increasing self-weighing over one year was associated with less weight regain, supporting the self-monitoring part of the claim. It does not establish accountability mechanisms as predictors, and its finding concerns weight-loss maintenance in previously successful weight losers rather than long-term weight management generally. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Frequent self-weighing improves weight loss and weight loss maintenance.

    “Frequent self-weighing improves weight loss and weight loss maintenance.5,67,68”

    From Obesity Management in Adults (2023) · cites this paper as [68]

    The Discussion reports that maintaining or increasing self-weighing frequency was associated with less weight regain, supporting the weight-loss-maintenance portion. It also says the study cannot establish a causal effect and did not study people trying to achieve initial weight loss; experimental studies would be needed to determine whether frequent self-weighing improves initial loss. Page numbers were not supplied. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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  • Prior research has linked long-term weight control to several behaviors: increasing physical activity, monitoring body weight, reducing calorie and fat intake, and using meal replacements.

    “All participants also reported at baseline and years 1–4, as well as at year 8, the number of weeks in the prior year that they engaged in behaviors previously determined to be associated with long-term weight control: 1) increasing physical activity;27–29 2) monitoring body weight;30,31 3) reducing calorie and fat intake;32,33 and 4) using meal replacements.33”

    From Eight-year weight losses with an intensive lifestyle intervention: The look AHEAD study (2014) · cites this paper as [31]

  • Participants in the National Weight Control Registry who self-weighed more frequently were older, had a lower maximum BMI, and a lower BMI at entry into the Registry.

    “Butryn reported that participants in the National Weight Control Registry who self-weighed more frequently were older, had a lower maximum BMI, and a lower BMI at entry into the Registry (31).”

    From Self-monitoring in weight loss: a systematic review of the literature (2011) · cites this paper as [31]

  • Both observational data and clinical trial evidence demonstrate the importance of self-monitoring in achieving behavior change.

    “Both observational data60–64 and evidence from clinical trials26–28,30,36,38,50,52 demonstrate the importance of self-monitoring in achieving behavior change.”

    From Interventions to Promote Physical Activity and Dietary Lifestyle Changes for Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction in Adults: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2010) · cites this paper as [60]

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  1. [12]12. Consistent Self-monitoring of Weight, Butryn et al. OBESITY Vol. 15 No. 12 December 2007 3095 1930739x, 2007, 12, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2007.368 by Readcube (Labtiva Inc.), Wiley Online Library on [02/10/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License

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Authors
Butryn, M. L., Phelan, S., Hill, J. O., & Wing, R. R.
Affiliations
  • Drexel University (US)
  • Brown University (US)
  • University of Colorado Denver (US)
Corresponding author
Butryn, Meghan L.
ORCID
Venue
Obesity
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2007-12
Volume
15
Issue
12
Pages
3091-3096
ISSN
  • 1930-7381 (ISSN-L)
  • 1930-739X
DOI
10.1038/oby.2007.368
OpenAlex
W2012907143
Cited by
483
References
18
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 79 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 39 · 2012: 32
FWCI
18.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 1741 d)
Locations
  • Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (DK066787)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK066787, R01DK066787)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
Keywords
self-weighing, weight loss maintenance, weight regain, disinhibition, cognitive restraint, dietary habits, energy intake, dietary fat intake, body mass index, weight management
MeSH terms
Adult, Body Weight, Energy Intake, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Surveys, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Registries, Self Care, Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Health Behavior

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