Bundled behavioural strategies for long-term weight maintenance in Chinese patients with overweight or obesity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Behavioural strategies can promote adherence to intensive lifestyle treatments for obesity. This study aimed to explore effective behavioural strategies for weight maintenance in Chinese patients with overweight or obesity. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of weight mainte-nance data was conducted. Patients with overweight or obesity, who had received a 3-month weight loss and behavioural intervention, were asked to complete questionnaires to monitor compliance with behavioural strategies after the weight loss. They continued to follow a daily calorie restriction for 12 months to maintain their weight. The primary outcome was to evaluate the association between a total weight loss (TWL) of more than 5% and compliance with behavioural strategies during the 6-month weight maintenance phase. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients completed the questionnaire. The top three easy-to-perform behaviours were eating vegetables and protein first and carbohydrates later, self-weighing each day and having regular eating times. Of 131 patients, 61 (46.5%) and 42 (32.1%) were followed up for 6 months and 12 months respectively. Reducing high-fat food intake (p = 0.002) and eating an average frequency of 5 times a day (p = 0.034) were associated with a TWL of more than 5% during 6 months weight maintenance. Reducing high-fat food intake was associated with a TWL of more than 5% during 12 months weight maintenance (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese patients with overweight or obesity who experienced a TWL of more than 5% were more likely to reduce high-fat food intake during long-term weight maintenance.