Willpower not enough in diet battle
ALMOST two-thirds of Australians who try to lose weight by improving their eating habits fail because they rely on willpower, research has revealed.
A national survey by the Australian Psychological Society showed that 61 per cent of people trying to change their diet failed to make lasting changes. One in five lapsed back into old habits within a matter of weeks or months.
Many of those who made changes - 63 per cent - relied on willpower, while 26 per cent joined a gym or sports club. More than half (55 per cent) sought no professional help to change their eating habits
Others tried to educate themselves by searching the internet, looking at magazines and self-help books, or seeking support from doctors, family and friends.
Australian Psychological Society president Amanda Gordon said the figures suggest that relying on willpower without additional support was a recipe for failure. "People think, 'I can do it on my own and it's a symbol of strength, and there's something wrong with me if I need help'," she said.
"What we found in this survey is it's not true. There's nothing heroic about trying to do it on your own. In fact, the people who do it with support are more likely to do well."
Of 1289 people surveyed, 97 per cent admitted trying to make changes to their diet at some stage. Only 12 per cent of those surveyed who had made changes in the last six months had stuck to the healthy plan. But those who managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle for more than six months were more likely to make lasting changes.
Ms Gordon said behavioural change becomes habit after six months and people using willpower alone were unlikely to sustain change for long periods.
"The danger period comes after a few months when people think they're doing well so they let the support systems slip . . . You really need all the help you can get until you reach a point where the habits just become a way of life," she said.
Ms Gordon said it was worrying that 47 per cent of participants with a body mass index in the overweight or obese category did not think they had a weight problem.
Vanity was a factor in the survey, too, with 44 per cent of people making changes wanting to enhance their physical appearance, while 31 per cent sought health improvements.
People classified as obese reported the highest level of negative emotions and the lowest self-esteem when trying to change behaviour. Those under 30 were least likely (17 per cent) to maintain changes for more than six months, while 30 per cent of 30 to 50-year-olds and 35 per cent of those over 50 managed to stick to new routines.
KEY FINDINGS
· 97 per cent tried to change eating habits at some point.
· 44 per cent motivated by physical appearance.
· 31 per cent motivated by general health.
Main strategies
· 63 per cent used willpower.
· 26 per cent joined gym or sports club.
· 18 per cent used internet or magazines.
· 17 per cent used books.
· 15 per cent used family support.
· 14 per cent used working with a friend.
· 4 per cent used health groups.
Maintenance
· 12 per cent stuck to eating plan for less than six months.
· 26 per cent stuck to eating plan for six months or more.
· 39 per cent generally stuck to plan.
SOURCE: AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY