Self-Regulation Perspective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general effect of weight loss interventions in diabetes patients. In a meta-analysis of 34 studies, effect sizes were calculated for weight and HbA1c. In addition, moderating effects of specific self-regulation principles and intervention characteristics were explored. The overall effect sizes (d) for weight loss in the short term (<6 months) were low and even lower in the longer (> 6 months) term. The overall effect sizes for HbA1c-outcomes were higher and remained stable in the longer term. The total amunt of self-regulation present in interventions increased the effect on both weight and HbA1c outcomes. Furthermore ‘goal reformulation ’ increased the effect on weight outcomes and ‘emotion regulation ’ increased the effect on HbA1c. Another moderator for the effect on weight was the ‘inclusion of a patient’s partner or relative’. This meta-analysis supports the importance of including self-regulation principles in weight reduction interventions in diabetes patients, in particular for HbA1c outcomes. To fully understand the relation between self-regulation, HbA1c, and weight more research is however needed. 2