Research
Adherence
Recurrent weight loss attempts are a negative predictor of success in weight loss interventions and may negatively impact self-concept and body image.
Frequent, unsuccessful weight loss attempts can actually predict lower success in future interventions and harm your self-concept. Instead of focusing on the number of attempts, focus on the quality and sustainability of your strategies. If you have made multiple attempts, recognize that this pattern is a known barrier to success, not a personal flaw.
GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
there is also consistent evidence that amongst obese adults the number of weight loss attempts is a negative predictor of success in weight loss interventions (5). Recurrent weight control efforts may negatively impact on self-concept, body image, pessimistic attributions and feelings of helplessness, all of which could predispose individuals to failure (6,7).
Why this rating
Cites consistent evidence from referenced studies (5, 6, 7).
Source
Prevalence of personal weight control attempts in adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Inês Santos et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2016
DOI 10.1111/obr.12466
Meta-analysis · 72 studiesCited 273×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Personal weight control attempts are highly prevalent globally, with approximately 42% of adults in general populations and 44% of adults in ethnic-minority populations reporting attempts to lose weight annually.Good
- The most prevalent personal weight control strategies are exercising and dieting, and the most common motives are wellbeing and long-term health.Good
Related findings · Adherence
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- 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
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