Factors associated with the maintenance or achievement of the weight loss goal at follow-up among participants completing an adapted diabetes prevention program

Aims: This study evaluated factors associated with achievement or maintenance of a 7% weight loss goal post intervention among adults at high-risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes who participated in an adapted Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) intervention. Materials and methods: High-risk adults completed the intervention in 2008 or 2009 (N = 466). In 2010, we conducted a follow-up survey of participants to assess characteristics, behaviors and barriers associated with the maintenance or achievement of the weight loss goal. Results: Thirty-nine percent of respondents (73/188) maintained or achieved the goal post intervention. Participants who achieved the goal were more likely to have attended more intervention sessions, and to have lost more weight during the intervention compared to participants who did not achieve the goal. Participants who achieved or maintained the goal post intervention were more likely to engage in behaviors related to weight loss maintenance. Discussion: Our findings suggest maintenance or achievement of a weight loss goal post intervention among participants in an adapted lifestyle intervention is consistent with the original DPP. Our findings also highlight the relationship between maintaining or achieving a weight loss goal post intervention and behaviors that can be reinforced and barriers that can be mitigated. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.