Self-monitoring in the treatment of obesity: Parameters of reactivity

Seventy overweight subjects were assigned to five groups to assess the reactive nature of self-monitoring procedures. The groups were: (1) no treatment control; (2) self-recording daily weight; (3) self-recording daily weight and daily caloric intake; (4) behavior management and stimulus control instruction; and (5) behavior management, stimulus control, and self-recording of daily weight and daily caloric intake, with the initial treatment phase lasting 4 wk. Results indicated no significant difference between self-recording of daily weight and no-treatment control. Self-recording of daily weight and daily caloric intake, without therapist contact, was as effective as the behavior management and the behavior management and self-recording groups, both of which had weekly therapist contacts. Follow-up evaluations at 4 and 13 wk, respectively, indicated that the behavior management and behavior management and self-recording groups were not significantly different, although both showed a substantial weight loss that was maintained over the follow-up period. Implications for obesity, self-monitoring, and self-control research are discussed.