Self-efficacy and weight loss

In this study the construct of self-efficacy was applied to weight loss . Firstly, a questionnaire relating to self-efficacy and weight was constructed and this was administered to o verweight women who wanted to lose weight, successful weight watchers and a student population . The major part of the study concerned the treatment group, overweight women who wanted to lose weight (n=l2) whose self-efficacy and weight loss were monitored at pretest, for the duration of treatment (two months ), and follow-up ( three months). Results showed that the populations tested were differentiated by their self-efficacy scores. Although some studies of self-efficacy have used Rotter 's Locus of Control as a measure of self-efficacy, the present study found these two constructs to be unrelated. A discriminant analysis dividing self-efficacy into components of temptation and confidence, assessing scores on an items level, was useful in discerning differences between groups and in identifying high risk situations for those in treatment. Although numerous studies have attested to the predictive ability of self-efficacy scores, this was not supported by the present results, although sample size is considered a confounding variable. The hypothesis that increases in self-efficacy correspond to weight loss and decreases in self-efficacy to weight gain was supported by this investigation. Additionally, there is a suggestive trend that the components of temptation and confidence create a balance that appears to be individual that results in weight loss. Implications for future research are discussed