A novel intervention targeting appetitive traits may be an effective option for adult weight loss, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Kerri N. Boutelle, PhD, and colleagues randomly assigned 271 adults aged 18-65 (BMI, 25-45 kg/m²) to regulation of cues (ROC), ROC plus behavioral weight loss (BWL; ROC+), BWL alone, or a control active comparator. The ROC, ROC+, and BWL interventions resulted in significantly lower BMI. However, at the end of treatment, BMI was not significantly different for the ROC or ROC+ groups versus the BWL group, while in the active control group, BMI was substantially higher. At 24 months after randomization, BMI reductions were similar for ROC, ROC+, and BWL. Participants who scored higher in food responsiveness in the ROC and ROC+ groups had more weight loss, with food responsiveness moderating the treatment effects. “The ROC model targets appetitive traits, which is substantially different than BWL and may confer the additional benefit of weight loss stabilization rather than weight regain,” Dr. Boutelle and colleagues wrote.
