COMPARISON OF ESTABLISHED AND INNOVATIVE WEIGHT‐REDUCTION TREATMENT PROCEDURES1

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Abstract
A central component of a commonly used weight-loss procedure developed by Stuart, which emphasizes situational engineering (SE), was compared to eating behavior control (EBC), a treatment employing reinforcement of changes in eating habits. A 3rd treatment encouraged development of individuals'' own applications of a model of self-control and attempted to provide effective feedback regarding progress toward weight-loss goals. This self-initiated treatment (SI) was designed to be less directive than many behavioral treatment packages and to be more realistic about the expectations of subjects and the actual eating habits of overweight and normal weight people. Following baseline, treatment lasted 6 wk and follow-up lasted 16 wk. While all treatments produced weight losses, EBC surpassed SE during treatment. SI losses during treatment did not differ from SE or EBC, but SI was the only group that lost weight throughout follow-up, indicating the possible utility of more subtle, less directive interventions than those that have often been associated with behavioral approaches. The results of SE question the applicability to clinical procedures of the external cue hypersensitivity theory of obesity, to which SE is closely related.