Relations of changes in physical self-appraisal and perceived energy with weight change in obese women beginning a supported exercise and nutrition information program

In preliminary investigation, relations of changes in the self-appraisal factors of body satisfaction and physical self-concept, and changes in the mood factors of fatigue and energy, were tested with weight changes over 20 weeks in obese women (N = 52) initiating a supported exercise and nutrition information treatment. Within-group t tests indicated that all psychological factors significantly improved, and weight was significantly reduced (M = -5.83 kg, SD = 6.98). Regression analyses indicated that a significant amount of the variance in weight change (R² = .412) was accounted for through changes in body satisfaction and physical self-concept as predictor variables. Although linear bivariate correlations between fatigue and energy changes, and weight changes, were significant (rs = .463 and -.360, respectively), when individually entered into regression equations along with changes in body satisfaction and physical self-concept neither significantly increased the explained variance in weight change. After replication, implications for theory and weight loss treatment were suggested.