Impact of Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating on Diet and Weight in a 24-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Trial

Objective: To examine longitudinal changes in perceptions of barriers to healthy eating and its impact on dietary intake and weight loss in a 24-month trial. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from a behavioral weight loss trial (n = 210). The Barriers to Healthy Eating (BHE) scale was used to measure perceived barriers to healthy eating. Weight, total energy, and fat intake were measured. Longitudinal mixed regression modeling was used for data analysis. Results: The BHE total score decreased from baseline to 6 months and increased slightly from 6 to 24 months (P < .001). Changes in BHE total and subscale scores were positively associated with changes in total energy and fat intake (P < .05) as well as weight (P < .01). Conclusions and Implications: Reducing barriers could lead to improved short-term dietary changes and weight loss. Innovative strategies need to be developed to prevent barriers from increasing when intervention intensity begins to decrease.