In the article  The Role of Self-Regulation Strategies and Self-Efficacy Perceptions in Successful Weight Loss Maintenance Dr. Kitsantas studies a number of factors which aid not only in successful weight loss but also in keeping the weight off.  As someone who is intimately familiar with this issue I read it with a great deal of skepticism.  However, in the article, Dr. Kitsantas(2000) explains why weight loss is difficult as well as the strategies for implementing a successful weight loss program.   These strategies which are presented for successful weight loss can also be generalized to other, non-weight reduction situations.

         In the study on weight loss, Kitsantas studied thirty-three  college-aged participants.  The three groups were  divided according to their weight loss experience: a) overweight participants who were unable to lose weight;  b)  participants who started out overweight but lost weight and kept it off and c) those who were at their ideal weight.  Kitsantas studied the strategies that those from groups a) and b) used in their attempts to lose weight.  The results showed that the participants who used self-regulatory strategies and who had high self-efficacy perceptions were able to lose weight and to maintain the loss.  The participants who did not lose weight showed lower self-efficacy and less strategy use than those who lost weight.

          The study shows that weight loss and maintenance depend on the degree of self-efficacy. Self efficacy, “the degree to which one feels competent to complete a given task” (Bandura, 1986 as cited by Kitsantas) influence a person’s decision to use self-regulatory strategies.  Without the conviction of the participant that he/she has the ability to reach the goal, the strategies will not be invoked.  Therefore, the implications for a weight loss program are that the program must start out with  strategies to increase the participant’s perception of his/her ability to lose weight and then help the participant devise self-regulation strategies.  With these two layers of preparation, the participant has a better chance to be successful.

         This study shifts the emphasis of weight loss from the outcome (losing pounds) to the process (how to lose pounds).  This emphasis on process over outcome can be generalized to fields other than weight loss   For example, a typical problem  university students  face is a build up of  exams and papers as the semester ends. A seminar for first year students, including sessions on building confidence and then leading into self-regulation strategies might help them to manage their time better so that they aren’t faced with a heavy work load as the semester ends.  A more general application for education could come in elementary schools or early childhood education.   If  the level of self-efficacy determines the extent of use of self-regulating strategies, then in early childhood education building self-confidence should be emphasized.  Confidence building should come first and then the children could be introduced to self-regulating strategies such as goal-setting, asking for help and self-evaluation.  As children progress through school and they learn more advanced strategies such as time management, environmental structuring and self-monitoring, they will be more successful as they pursue the outcomes.  With the mastery of self-regulating strategies they will become better students because they are learning how to study.

       In conclusion, by emphasizing process instead of outcome, a valuable shift occurs.  By learning how to attack complex situations through self-regulation strategies, the participant gains methods to guide their learning.   The process can be generalized from weight management to time management to education.  In Dr. Kitsantas’ study, the important implication is that with the confidence to do something and the self-regulating strategies to monitor progress, one can be assured of more success than the person who aims for the outcome without learning the process.

References

Bandura, A. (1986) Social foundations of thought and action:  A social cognitive theory.    Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice Hall.

Kitsantas, A. (2000) The role of self-regulation strategies and self-efficacy perceptions in  successful weight loss maintenance.  Psychology and Health, 15, 811-820.