Does Spirituality Predict Weight Loss In A Behavioral Weight Loss Program?
Abstract
Despite the rapid growth in the prevalence of obese African Americans, few weight loss treatments specifically designed for African Americans have been created (Brooks et al., 2008; Budd et al., 2007; Kennedy et al., 2005; Kumanyika, Shults et al. 2005). The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors that may impact adherence and weight loss among African American women. Spirituality is considered a robust variable in predicting both mental and physical health (Park, Moehl, & Fenster, 2008; Zinnbauer & Pargament, 2005). Mental and physical health benefits of spirituality may extend to positive outcomes in a behavioral weight loss program. This study included 106 overweight and obese women, 18-55 years old, in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area. A series of regression analyses were conducted to determine whether spirituality and weight loss was mediated by adherence or moderated by age and treatment location. Spirituality was not significantly related to weight loss. Rather those who had higher scores on extrinsic and intrinsic measures of spirituality lost significantly less weight and even gained weight in comparison to those with lower scores of spirituality. Intrinsic spirituality and weight loss was moderated by age. Older women who scored higher on intrinsic spirituality lost less weight than older women with lower scores of intrinsic spirituality or younger women regardless of intrinsic spirituality levels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA539554
Entities
People
- Andrew L. Hagemaster
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences