There are various levels of constructs that influence health behavior. Self-regulation is the most effective in behavior modification, which helps in obesity control and management.
Motivation helps to improve physical activity levels and quality.
Through behavioral interventions, changes in diet and physical activity can be affected. These assist in weight loss, which in turn leads to improvements in health parameters.
Setting goals, feedback processes, planning, and revisiting goals bring about improvements in physical activity. These also help in teaching the habit of eating healthily (Hutchesson et al., 2015). Internet-based applications help get instant personalized feedback. These assist in bringing about substantial weight loss. This gain was observed at least in the short term (Sherrington et al., 2016).
While behavioral interventions seem to be effective in promoting weight loss, maintaining them is a challenge. Most individuals tend to regain the weight or at least a part of it within a year, even after losing weight.
Behavior change helps sustain weight loss. Behavior change happens if you enjoy it, and it prevails when accompanied by self-monitoring and coping strategies.
Physical and psychological resources are required to be made available to maintain self-regulated change behavior. The changes need to be supported by a supportive environment and social support.
A systematic, goal-based comprehensive approach supports behavior change. According to the non-profit Obesity Action Coalition organization based out of the US, the following are the critical components of a behavior change strategy:
1. Setting up realistic goals and self-monitoring mechanisms
2. Increasing physical activity
3. Teaching the body and understanding how to nourish behavior change.
4. Engaging in a support group
If you follow these recommendations, you will be able to sustain weight loss.
Additional reading:
Natural Solutions for Obesity
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