Exploring Beliefs and Behaviors About Weight Loss in Couples
Exploring Beliefs and Behaviors About Weight Loss in Couples
This study explores among couples in which both members are obese how the use of mental
 contrasting along with implementation intentions influence intentions and behavior related to
 weight loss (eating healthy and exercise), actual weight loss, as well as potential reasons
 (i.e., mediators) why these changes may occur (e.g., social support, changes in beliefs about
 weight loss, confidence in being able to eat healthy and diet).
This study explores among couples in which both members are obese how the use of mental
 contrasting along with implementation intentions influence intentions and behaviors related
 to weight loss (eating healthy and exercise), actual weight loss, as well as potential
 reasons (i.e., mediators) why these changes may occur (e.g., social support, changes in
 beliefs about weight loss, confidence in being able to eat healthy and diet). In mental
 contrasting procedures, people first imagine a desired future (e.g., eating healthy) and then
 reflect on the current negative reality (e.g., I snack too much). This process makes people
 aware of changes needed in the present to obtain future positive outcomes, and thus aids in
 increasing goal commitment and goal pursuit. In implementation intention procedures,
 individuals form "if-then" statements about how they will enact their goals in their everyday
 lives. Implementation intentions are highly effective at helping individuals achieve health
 behavior change. Recent studies suggest that the combined use of mental contrasting and
 implementation intentions produce more behavior change than either technique alone (e.g.,
 diet) In this study, investigators test whether these procedures vary in their effectiveness
 when couple members are instructed to focus on themselves versus the relationship, the latter
 intended to instill a communal coping mindset (i.e., that losing weight is an issue that
 needs to be addressed as a couple enacted through mutually cooperative behaviors).
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Married couples or couples living as married

 -  living in the same household for at least six months

 -  both members of couple are obese (BMI > 30).

 -  must be 18 years or older

 -  can read and write in English