Nutrition Knowledge Is Associated with Greater Weight Loss in Obese and Overweight Low-Income Mothers

ObjectiveTo examine if greater nutrition knowledge vs gains in knowledge promote more successful weight loss in low-income, overweight and obese mothers with young children.DesignA convenience sample of mothers and their children were measured for height and weight; mothers completed demographic and nutrition knowledge questionnaires pre- and postintervention.Subjects/settingParticipants (N=141) were recruited from government and public health clinics and elementary schools. Inclusion criteria for mothers were: family income <200% federal poverty level; overweight/obese; and Hispanic, African-American, or white race/ethnicity.InterventionEight weekly weight-loss classes emphasizing diet, physical activity, and behavior modification based on Social Cognitive Theory were administered to mothers.Main Outcome MeasuresImprovements in maternal nutrition knowledge and weight loss.Statistical Analyses PerformedPaired-samples t tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, Pearson correlations, and χ2 statistics.ResultsNutrition knowledge of mothers increased in all areas. Participants with weight loss ≥2.27 kg (responders) had greater knowledge than those who did not; however, the actual net gain was similar for those who lost and did not lose weight. Weight gainers only improved in two areas on the test, whereas weight-loss responders increased knowledge in all six. Responders appeared more cognizant of diet, weight loss, and health information.ConclusionsWeight-management programs should include a strong component of nutrition education to alleviate knowledge inequalities and promote more effective weight control. In low-income mothers, greater initial knowledge may be more predictive of weight loss than gains in knowledge during an intervention.