Adherence
High baseline Weight Bias Internalization (WBI) is associated with reduced likelihood of achieving clinically meaningful weight loss in lifestyle modification programs.
If you struggle with negative thoughts about your weight, know that this can make weight loss harder. Consider asking your care team about strategies to address these feelings, such as self-compassion exercises or counseling. Addressing these psychological barriers can help you stay engaged and improve your chances of reaching your health goals.
In lifestyle modification programs, higher baseline WBI scores have been associated with a 37% reduction in likelihood of achieving a ≥ 5% weight loss and 34% reduction in achieving ≥ 10% weight loss at 24 weeks.
Why this rating
Based on specific observational data within lifestyle programs; bidirectional association with weight change is noted as limited.
Source
Beyond the Scale: Setting Goals for Outcomes Beyond Weight in Evidence-based Obesity Treatment
Leah M. Schumacher et al. · Current Obesity Reports · 2026
DOI 10.1007/s13679-026-00706-7
More from this paper
- Broadening obesity treatment goals beyond weight loss to include obesity-related diseases, health-related quality of life (HrQoL), body image, and weight bias internalization (WBI) improves patient-centered care and treatment adherence.Good
- Obesity treatments (lifestyle, medications, surgery) improve obesity-related diseases, physical health-related quality of life (HrQoL), and body image, with the magnitude of benefit often correlating with the amount of weight loss.Good
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →