Integrating self-compassion and positive psychology into a behavioural intervention for weight management : 6-month outcomes from the "INSPIRE" randomized controlled trial

Obesity is related to the increased presence and severity of multiple comorbid illnesses as well as a reduction in overall quality and quantity of life. The Small Changes program is a cognitive and behavioural approach to weight loss that encourages modest changes to nutrition and physical activity that are sustainable in the long-term. INSPIRE is a novel, group-based intervention that builds on Small Changes by focusing to a greater extent on psychological factors that may be working in opposition of an individual’s weight management goals. INSPIRE draws upon evidence-based techniques from self-compassion and positive psychology. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of INSPIRE for change in weight and subjective well-being outcomes compared to the original Small Changes program. Fifty-eight treatment-seeking female community members with obesity (Mean BMI = 34.47; SD = 3.40; Mean age = 52, SD = 9.00) were randomly assigned to either INSPIRE or Small Changes. The primary outcome was change in weight and secondary outcomes pertained to changes in subjective well-being and self-compassion. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-treatment (3 months), and after an additional 3-month follow-up period that included bi-weekly contact with participants (6 months). The INSPIRE program demonstrated feasibility (assessed by attendance and homework completion) and acceptability (assessed by mean ratings of utility and likelihood of continued use). The INSPIRE and Small Changes groups showed significant declines in weight across the 6 months. However, fitted trajectories suggested that the INSPIRE group had a faster rate of linear change while the Small Changes group had a faster rate of quadratic change. Similarly, intervention type was a significant predictor of change in life satisfaction but did not predict change in positive affect, negative affect, or self-compassion. Positive affect, negative affect, and self-compassion were significant predictors of change in weight across the observation period. Currently, behavioral interventions for weight management pay little regard to subjective well-being and instead focus on changes to nutrition and physical activity. The present study demonstrates the importance of addressing subjective well-being in behavioural health interventions to improve treatment outcomes.Arts and Social Sciences, Irving K. Barber Faculty of (Okanagan)Psychology, Department of (Okanagan)Graduat