Adherence
Higher baseline levels of subjective hunger and food cravings are associated with reduced weight loss outcomes during a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention, whereas higher diet compliance and satisfaction are associated with greater weight loss.
If you are struggling with weight loss, your baseline hunger and cravings are strong predictors of your results. People who start with high hunger or cravings tend to lose less weight. Conversely, how satisfied and compliant you feel with your diet is the strongest predictor of success. Focus on finding a diet you can stick to and feel good about, rather than searching for the 'perfect' macronutrient ratio. If you have high baseline hunger, consider seeking more intensive support or medical advice to manage it, as this is a key lever for improving outcomes.
Independent of group assignment, higher baseline hunger and cravings were associated with less weight loss, and greater diet compliance, diet satisfaction, and lower feelings of deprivation were associated with greater weight loss.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with objective weight measurements and validated subjective scales, though secondary analysis and lack of power calculation for these specific aims reduce certainty slightly.
Source
Hunger, Food Cravings, and Diet Satisfaction are Related to Changes in Body Weight During a 6-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention: The Beef WISE Study
R. Drew Sayer et al. · Nutrients · 2018
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