The effect of a verbal framing variable in a weight control program

Two versions of a six month weight control program were developed. A "behavioral" version used traditional behavioral terminology. This program was then modified to produce a "vivid" program using anecdotal material and examples drawn from the community. Terminology in the vividly framed program was reduced to positively framed “common language." For example, "dieting" was replaced by "eating better," and "exercise" by "pleasant physical activity." Seventy-four women then participated in either vividly or behaviorally framed programs. Anthropomorphic and demographic data initially obtained included height and weight, body mass index, weight goals, and marital and employment status. Subjects attended sessions which met at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Meetings were held weekly for seven weeks, bi-weekly for a month, and monthly until the end of the six month program. Major variables of interest included attendance, compliance with assignments, changes in total weight and changes in weight reduction quotients. Evaluations of the outcome variables revealed no effect for the verbal framing variable. It is suggested that either verbal framing has little effect in weight control or the level of framing used was ineffective. Other variables, however, appeared to influence outcomes. Self selection took place, with the younger, unmarried women filling the two 6 p.m. groups while older, married women filled the two 5 p.m. groups. Subjects who came closest to achieving their weight goals were the younger, lighter women. Neither attendance nor compliance with assignments were predictive of weight goal attainment. It is suggested that older individuals who have been overfat for many years might best concentrate on healthy eating habits and not set difficult weight goals. Alternatively, younger, less chronically overfat individuals might be better able to benefit from diet-exercise programs and specific weight loss goals.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1986

Author dc:creator

• Thomas, Lowell P.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Winett, Richard A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Baum, Cynthia G.
• Eisler, Richard M.
• Neff, Debra F.
• Walberg, Janet L.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87659

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/87659