Slimming World research reveals link between weight loss groups and increased mental toughness

Описание: The UK’s first study into the relationship between weight loss and mental toughness reveals
that people who are supported to lose weight in a group environment not only lose more
weight than those who choose to lose weight on their own – they can also increase their
mental toughness.
The study by the University of Lincoln examined the relationship between weight loss and
mental toughness over a period of six months and revealed that members of Slimming World
groups lost weight more successfully than a comparison group (who were aiming to lose
weight without the support of a group) and also significantly improved their mental
toughness. During the six months of the study, on average Slimming World members lost
over 2st more than those in the comparison group. Their measures of mental toughness on
average rose 10%, from a low to an average score in Slimming World group members,
whereas the comparison group had no statistically significant change to their mental
toughness.
The findings of the study, which was led by Dr Elizabeth Stamp, a lecturer at Loughborough
University, come at a time when the UK population faces a spiralling obesity crisis and
increased mental health challenges. Government figures suggest more than 40% of adults in
England gained weight during the pandemic, with the average gain being half a stone (just
over 4.1kg), while more than half of adults (60%) and over two thirds of young people (68%)
said their mental health got worse during lockdown
Joining a slimming group with expertise in helping people change lifelong habits is well established as a successful way to tackle weight gain, but only now has the impact of a supportive group environment on mental toughness been discovered.
Mental toughness, a concept used in psychology and behaviour change that has been
studied within the sports field for many years, and sport psychologists noting mental toughness is what gives an elite athlete the edge. This is the first time the concept has been investigated in relation to weight loss.
Dr Elizabeth Stamp, says: “Mental toughness is about how someone copes with the challenges and stressors they face. More than that though, it is about seeking out and taking on new challenges. People who have a high mental toughness have skills like being able to break bigger goals into smaller achievable goals, being in control of their life and the decisions that they make and having the confidence to seek help when needed. These are abilities that people who have a lower mental toughness can develop, and mental toughness has been reported to benefit individuals in other aspects of their life, such as achieving social and educational goals. The study revealed that Slimming World members participating in the study lost on average 2st 5lbs over the six months and on average also increased their mental toughness.”
The 4Cs model of mental toughness are : challenge, commitment, confidence and control. The study found that Slimming World members had increased scores in all of the 4Cs during the six months they participated in the study. Dr Elizabeth Stamp says: “Looking at the 4Cs model it’s understandable that Slimming World members showed an increase in mental toughness scores. The multi-level support to make lifestyle changes which the group provides is specifically designed to help members increase their commitment to their weight loss and the changes needed to ensure they achieve them. It supports them to feel in control of their choices and behaviours and feel more confident in their ability to make the changes even in situations where their commitment and motivation would otherwise be challenged (for example eating out, travelling, staying away from home, socialising etc). Helping members think about the challenges, make plans for when things may get in the way and develop strategies for these times, are all ways in which the group supports members to stick to their plans and successfully lose weight each week.”
Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs, says: “This research shows the
depth of understanding about the psychology of weight loss we have at Slimming World. It’s
been at the heart of our method for more than 50 years. In our groups we share
techniques to empower and enable members to make their own behaviour changes through
a variety of methods, including setting goals, making new decisions, developing skills to
overcome barriers by facing, and seeking out challenges and taking back control, which are
all linked to the principles of improving mental toughness. We create an environment for our members to challenge themselves on their own timescales. As members progress on their weight loss journey, they feel more sociable, happier and calm and are less likely to feel downhearted, stressed or anxious. Members’ emotional wellbeing improved over their time at Slimming World and even remained higher during the COVID lockdown.