The WEIGH Study: Weighing to Improve and Gain Health

The purpose of this research project is to assess the efficacy of a weight loss intervention for chronic disease prevention that focuses on daily self-weighing as the primary self-monitoring strategy compared to a delayed-intervention control group. While daily self-weighing has been shown to be effective for weight loss in observational research, there is limited experimental evidence testing this association and most is derived from intensive interventions that may overshadow the effects of self-weighing. To mitigate this, the investigators will examine whether daily self-weighing is effective for weight loss under self-directed conditions using a randomized-controlled design. The investigators will conduct a 6-month randomized trial in 88 overweight and obese adults to compare a daily self-weighing intervention to a delayed-intervention control group. Changes in weight, diet and physical activity, and psychosocial measures will be examined. Main Study Hypothesis: Participants in the group randomized to receive the daily self-weighing intervention will have greater percent weight loss at 6 months compared to those in the delayed control group. Secondary Hypothesis: Participants in the group receiving the daily self-weighing intervention will report greater engagement in diet and physical activity behaviors that produce caloric deficits, greater self-efficacy and motivation, and no differences in body satisfaction, disordered eating, or depressive symptoms compared to those in the control group.