Abstract

Objective: Intentional weight loss is recommended for type 2 diabetes, but what patients attempt and how effective strategies are in weight management is unknown. This investigation describes intentional weight loss strategies used and those related to body mass index (BMI) in a diverse sample of overweight participants with type 2 diabetes at enrollment in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) clinical trial.

Research Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study of baseline weight loss strategies, including self-weighing frequency, eating patterns, and weight control practices, reported in 3,063 females and 2,082 males, aged 45 to 74 years, with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m².

Results: Less than half (41.4%) of participants self-weighed ≥ 1/week. Participants ate breakfast 6.0 ± 1.8 days/week, 5.0 ± 3.1 meals/snacks per day, and 1.9 ± 2.7 fast food meals/week. The three most common weight control practices (increasing fruits and vegetables, cutting out sweets, and eating less high-carbohydrate foods) were reported by approximately 60% of participants for ≥ 20 weeks over the previous year. Adjusted models showed self-weighing < 1/week (B = .83), more fast food meals consumed/week (B = .14), and fewer breakfast meals consumed/week (B = −.19) were associated (p < .05) with a higher BMI (R² = 0.24).

Conclusion: Regular self-weighing and breakfast consumption, along with infrequent consumption of fast food were related to lower BMI in the Look AHEAD study population.