Weight loss treatment influences untreated spouses and the home environment: evidence of a ripple effect.
Gorin AA, Wing RR, Fava JL, Jakicic JM, Jeffery R, West DS, Brelje K, Dilillo VG; Look AHEAD Home Environment Research Group.
Department of Psychology, Center for Health, Intervention and Prevention, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. amy.gorin@uconn.edu OBJECTIVES: To examine whether a weight loss program delivered to one spouse has beneficial effects on the untreated spouse and the home environment. METHODS: We assessed untreated spouses of participants in three sites of Look AHEAD, a multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of intentional weight loss on cardiovascular outcomes in overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes. Participants and spouses (n=357 pairs) were weighed and completed measures of diet and physical activity at 0 and 12 months. Spouses completed household food and exercise environment inventories. We examined differences between spouses of participants assigned to the intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) or to the enhanced usual care (DSE; diabetes support and education).
RESULTS: Spouses of ILI participants lost -2.2+/-4.5 kg vs -0.2+/-3.3 kg in spouses of DSE participants (P<0.001).> or =5% of their body weight than DSE spouses (26 vs 9%, P<0.001). p="0.007)" p="0.012)" p="0.05)." style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;">
CONCLUSION: The reach of behavioral weight loss treatment can extend to a spouse, suggesting that social networks can be utilized to promote the spread of weight loss, thus creating a ripple effect.
My notes: So if you are going to hit the weights hard and get your nutrition in order, enroll the support of your wife/significant other in the process.
