Evidence That a Very Brief Psychological Intervention Boosts Weight Loss in a Weight Loss Program

•Greater initial weight loss is predictive of greater long-term weight loss•Boosting initial weight loss could have beneficial effects on maintenance•This research tests a brief novel theory-based psychological intervention to promote weight loss in a sample already receiving treatment•Results show that the intervention significantly reduced weight over and above the effects of the weight loss program•This brief psychological intervention could serve as an adjunct to standard weight loss programs

Reducing morbidity and mortality associated with being overweight is a crucial public health goal. The aim of the present research was to test the efficacy of a very brief psychological intervention (a volitional help sheet) that could be used as an adjunct to standard weight loss programs to support increased weight loss in an overweight sample. Seventy-two overweight participants currently participating in a weight loss program were randomly allocated to either an intervention (volitional help sheet) condition or a control (distracter task) condition. The main outcome measure was weight at 1-month follow-up. Participants in both conditions lost significant amounts of weight, but those in the intervention condition lost significantly more than those in the control condition (d = 0.66). The findings support the efficacy of the volitional help sheet to promote additional weight loss in an overweight sample engaged in a weight loss program. The volitional help sheet therefore represents a very brief, low-cost intervention that could be used to supplement ongoing weight-loss programs.