Healthy Habits Associated with Successful Weight Loss Maintenance on a Commercial Program

OBJECTIVES: An online survey of real-world OPTAVIA® Coaches and Clients was conducted to understand the habits of successful weight loss maintainers. OPTAVIA (the “Program”) is a holistic commercial weight management program that includes meal replacements (MRs), support from a Coach and the OPTAVIA Community and encourages the use of a core set of healthy habits related to weight management, eating and hydration, motion, sleep, mind, and surroundings to promote a healthier lifestyle. However, it is not known what habits are most closely associated with successful maintenance in this population. Therefore, this study identified the behaviors and strategies used by Coaches and Clients who were considered successful at weight loss maintenance. METHODS: Coaches and Clients who had lost ≥10% body weight on the Program, had been trying to maintain their weight loss for ≥1 year, and maintained >75% of their weight loss during that time were identified. Mean ± SD were calculated for continuous variables and categorical variables were quantified using frequencies and percents. All data were self-reported. RESULTS: The analysis included 590 respondents (342 Coaches, 248 Clients; 84% female, 53 y; current BMI of 24.4 ± 4.0 kg/m(2)). Average weight loss was 23.7 ± 8.6% body weight; average time in maintenance was 24.5 ± 15.8 months. The most common strategies and specific tactics for maintaining their weight loss included: self-monitoring (80%); leveraging habits learned during weight loss (72%); food/diet-related strategies (69%) (drinking water 84%, using Program MRs 61%, portion control 54%); physical activity (PA) 67% (prioritize PA 66%, track PA 46%, build PA into social life 34%, increase NEAT activity 32%); establish a healthy environment (56%) and become a Coach (55%). Most (81%) reported taking action (use the Program 66% or general calorie reduction strategies 57%) within 5–10 lb of weight regain. Eighty % (80%) reported weighing themselves at least weekly. CONCLUSIONS: Successful Coaches and Clients use behaviors consistent with the scientific literature combined with several unique to the Program, such as those centered on the Program's core healthy habits, for weight loss maintenance. FUNDING SOURCES: Medifast, Inc.