Applying Self-Determination Theory to Help Obese Portuguese Individuals

Abstract

Evidence shows that obesity is a multifactor disease, involving a complex network of genetic, metabolic and psychological factors, such as motivation. In a weight loss program, the main obstacle to success resides in the difficulty in maintaining weight stability. Therefore, it is essential to assess the patient's motivation. In the current study, we will address the importance of motivation in sustaining a health behavior change, from a self-determination point of view. Research on SDT shows that the type of motivation is more important when pursuing an outcome, rather than the amount of motivation. In a continuum between autonomous and controlled motivation, the authors explain that people are autonomy regulated if they act according to their own choice and will; conversely, they are controlled motivated if they act as a result of external pressure and coercion. Moreover, this model clarifies the importance of social environment in sustaining people's basic need of autonomy, competence and relatedness. The positive effect of autonomous regulation is associated with more predisposition and effort to achieve positive health outcome, in the beginning and later with a dietary change program. In addition, controlled regulation is a poor variable in predicting dietary change. Therefore, and based on SDT theory, the aim of the present study is to understand why obese individuals would enter and maintain confidence about being able to carry on the treatment regimen. We hypothesized that patients will be more autonomy regulated then controlled at the end of the program if they perceive their health care supporters with more autonomy. Additionally, a decrease in body mass index (BMI) would be a consequence of that support. We also expect that greater BMI will be positively associated with controlled regulation instead of with autonomous regulation, in both periods of the study. Moreover, negative association between the two subscales of the treatment self-regulation questionnaire (TRSQ) is expected. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)(chapter)