Kliemann, N; (2017) The impact of eating self-regulatory skills on weight control and dietary behaviours in adults. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Recent studies suggest the ability to self-regulate eating behaviour may help people to cope with the food environment and achieve, as well as maintain, a healthy weight and diet. However, most studies exploring the relationships between eating self-regulatory skills, weight control and dietary habits in adults have used a cross-sectional design and have not accounted for the full range of eating self-regulatory skills, possibly due to the fact that no comprehensive measure of eating self-regulation exists. Furthermore, although there are indications that eating self-regulatory skills may be enhanced through practice, the most effective way to improve these skills and the impact of any changes on weight loss and dietary behaviours has not been established. Therefore, this PhD thesis developed a valid and reliable measure to assess eating self-regulatory skills in the general adult population (Study 1). Results from Study 2 showed that higher eating self-regulatory skills may help students to maintain or achieve a healthy diet and protect them against substantial weight gain (≥5% initial body weight), especially among students with higher BMIs. In Study 3, secondary analysis from the 10 Top Tips (10TT) randomised controlled trial was undertaken to test the effect of a habit-based intervention on eating self-regulatory skills. Results showed 10TT promoted greater increases in self-regulatory skills than Usual Care. Furthermore, these changes in self-regulatory skills mediated the effect of 10TT on target behaviours and weight loss. Lastly, since the use of new technology for lifestyle interventions is an emerging field in public health, two app versions of 10TT, one identical to 10TT (Top Tips ‘only’ app) and another including a self-regulatory training component for breaking unhealthy eating habits (Top Tips ‘plus’ app), were developed and piloted with overweight and obese adults (Study 4). Exploratory results from Study 4 suggest that both app interventions may promote eating self-regulatory skills, weight loss and healthy behaviours among overweight and obese adults, especially among those more engaged with the apps. However, both apps would benefit from further development work and should be evaluated by means of a randomised controlled trial.

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