Living Without Dieting: Motivating the Obese to Exercise and to Eat Prudently

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity continues to increase in the United States. The factors that appear to be most responsible are sedentary behavior patterns and excessive fat in the diet. However, attempts to encourage obese individuals to adopt active lifestyles and to maintain low-fat eating have not been very successful in producing significant and long-lasting weight loss. An understanding of the motivational factors that lead to imprudent eating and inactivity may help health and physical education professionals be more effective in their work with obese individuals.