Obesity is a growing epidemic. Weight control interventions can achieve weight loss, but most is regained over time. Stigma and low quality of life are significant problems that are rarely targeted. A new model aimed at reducing avoidant behavior and increasing psychological flexibility, has shown to be relevant in the treatment of other chronic health problems and is worth examining for improving the lives of obese persons. Patients who had completed at least 6 months of a weight loss program (N = 84) were randomly assigned to receive a 1-day, mindfulness and acceptance-based workshop targeting obesity-related stigma and psychological distress or be placed on a waiting list. At a 3-month follow-up, workshop participants showed greater improvements in obesity-related stigma, quality of life, psychological distress, and body mass, as well as improvements in distress tolerance, and both general and weight-specific acceptance and psychological flexibility. Effects on distress, stigma, and quality of life were above and beyond the effects due to improved weight control. Mediational analyses indicated that changes in weight-specific acceptance coping and psychological flexibility mediated changes in outcomes. Results provide preliminary support for the role of acceptance and mindfulness in improving the quality of life of obese individuals while simultaneously augmenting their weight control efforts.

Two thirds of the adults in the United States are overweight or obese. Binge eating is a barrier to treatment adherence and sustained weight loss, and can be seen as a form of experiential avoidance. The current study analyzed the impact of binge eating on weight reduction in a previously published study of a 1-day acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) workshop (N = 83) and the psychological processes accounting for the binge-eating results. ACT participants reported less binge eating, which in turn significantly mediated changes in weight. Mediation analyses also showed that reductions in binge eating were mediated by changes in experiential avoidance. The study suggests that ACT and its targeted processes of change may be particularly relevant to binge eating, and that targeting binging is a possible pathway for improving weight management.

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has been shown to deteriorate as body mass index (BMI) increases. Recent research suggests weight stigma and experiential avoidance may partially account for the relationship between BMI and HRQL. Eighty-seven adults recruited from a weight-loss clinic completed an intake assessment, which consisted of physical measurement taking and completion of self-report measures. Experiential avoidance and weight self-stigma were significant predictors of HRQL and mediated the relationship between BMI and HRQL. Results provide preliminary support for targeting weight stigma and experiential avoidance in order to produce changes in HRQL with or without concurrent weight loss.

Objective: To determine whether an acceptance‐based behavioral intervention (ABBI) produces better weight losses than standard behavioral treatment (SBT) among individuals reporting high internal disinhibition.Methods: Participants were 162 adults with overweight or obesity (mean BMI 37.6 kg/m²) randomly assigned to ABBI or SBT. Both interventions provided the same calorie intake target, exercise goal, and self‐monitoring skills training. SBT incorporated current best practice interventions for addressing problematic thoughts and emotions. ABBI utilized acceptance‐based techniques based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ABBI and SBT were compared on weight change and internal disinhibition change over 24 months.Results: Mixed models analysis showed mean weight loss at 24 months was −4.1% (SE = 0.88) for ABBI and −2.4% (SE = 0.87) for SBT (P = 0.204). Secondary analyses showed that the ABBI group regained less weight from the end of treatment to the final follow‐up (4.6 vs. 7.1 kg; P = 0.005), and that a significantly higher proportion of ABBI participants achieved a 5% weight loss (38% vs. 25%; P = 0.038) at 24 months.Conclusions: Results suggest that ABBI could be helpful for improving the maintenance of weight loss for individuals who report high internal disinhibition.