Within-week and within-year patterns in self-monitoring of dietary intake in adults with obesity participating in a behavioral weight loss program
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Seasonal and within-week variation has been documented in relation to body weight change and self-weighing; however, less is known regarding how patterns of self-monitoring dietary intake vary over time.Methods: The current study conducted secondary data analysis from a larger weight management trial to examine within-week and within-year patterns of dietary self-monitoring in 446 adults with obesity (mean ± SD age = 49.5 ± 11.4 years, BMI = 35.7 ± 4.0 kg/m2) enrolled in a 16-week behavioral weight loss program (with start dates staggered throughout the year). Generalized mixed models were used to characterize within-week and within-year patterns in adherence to dietary self-monitoring and to examine potential moderators (i.e. age and gender).Results: There was significant variation in self-monitoring adherence and caloric intake across days of the week, ps < .001, with the lowest adherence and greatest intake observed on Thursdays through Sundays. Moreover, there was significant variation by calendar month, ps < .001, with the lowest adherence and highest intake in October, November, and December. Age moderated the associations between day of the week and caloric intake and between calendar month and self-monitoring adherence/caloric intake; gender moderated the associations between calendar month and self-monitoring adherence/caloric intake.Discussion: Results demonstrate differences in dietary self-monitoring adherence and caloric intake within-week and within-year, with effects moderated by age and gender. Taken together with research demonstrating that additional support may improve adherence to self-monitoring during high-risk times (e.g. holiday seasons), future research should replicate these findings and identify additional predictors of self-monitoring adherence, supporting the development of novel, individually- and contextually-adaptable interventions.
Institutions: University of Florida, University of Virginia
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,165
Awards: G9000021979, G934649700
OpenAlex ID: W4409164411