“My Goal Is to Lose 2.923 kg!”—Efficacy of Precise Versus Round Goals for Body Weight Reduction

Publikation: Beiträge in ZeitschriftenZeitschriftenaufsätzeForschungbegutachtet

Authors

Overweight individuals often struggle to lose weight. While previous studies established goal setting as an effective strategy for weight loss, little is known about the effects of numeric goal precision. The present research investigated whether and how the precision of weight loss goals—the number of trailing zeros—impacts a goal’s effectiveness. In two preregistered, longitudinal experiments, we contrasted competing predictions as to whether precise (e.g., 2.923 kg) or round (e.g., 3.000 kg) goals are more effective compared to a waiting control condition. In Experiment 1 (N = 121), participants in the two goal conditions lost more weight compared to the control condition—an effect that was mainly driven by precise (rather than round) goals. In Experiment 2 (N = 150), we sought to replicate this effect but found no significant weight loss differences. An individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis across both experiments revealed that (a) the goal groups jointly lost more weight than the waiting control group and (b) the precise and round goal groups did not differ in weight loss success. An IPD-based multiple mediation analysis showed that healthier eating, but not physical exercise accounted for goal-setting-induced weight loss. We discuss possible explanations for the null findings in Experiment 2 and highlight directions for future research.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer793962
ZeitschriftFrontiers in Psychology
Jahrgang13
Anzahl der Seiten12
ISSN1664-1078
DOIs
PublikationsstatusErschienen - 07.02.2022

Bibliographische Notiz

The research was supported by a grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG LO 2201/2-1) which was awarded to DL and MF.

Copyright © 2022 Frech, Friese and Loschelder.

Dokumente

DOI

Zuletzt angesehen

Publikationen

  1. Standard-Essential Patents and FRAND Licensing—At the Crossroads of Economic Theory and Legal Practice
  2. Virtuelles Ohr
  3. New ideas for modern phytosociological monographs
  4. Sound science or social hook
  5. Das Konzept von Lesekompetenz in der DESI-Studie
  6. In eigener Sache
  7. Anmerkung zu EuGH, Urt. v. 28.06.2012 – Rs C-19/11
  8. Forschungsbericht 2006
  9. Forschung zu Energiewende und Partizipation
  10. Multiscale analysis for the bio-heat transfer equation - The nonisolated case
  11. Highly Flexible Final Production Stages
  12. Nonadherence in outpatient thrombosis prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparins after major orthopaedic surgery
  13. Stress of dialysis nurses—analyzing the buffering role of influence at work and feedback
  14. IPR für eine bessere Welt
  15. Internetgestützte Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung
  16. Aesthetic Design of Masonry Arch Bridges
  17. Notting Hill Gate
  18. Das Nachhaltigkeitskonzept Studierender im Studienverlauf
  19. Die Kolonie im Jenseits.
  20. Compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code and firm performance
  21. Theodor Storms Gedicht „Geh nicht hinein“
  22. Prozess Simulation
  23. Holunderblüten
  24. Notting Hill Gate 5
  25. 'So tun als ob' 2.0
  26. The TPPA, Agribusiness and Rural Livelihoods
  27. Inter- und transdisziplinäre Lehrforschung
  28. Imagining the unimaginable
  29. Cradle to Cradle im Holzfertigbau
  30. Entwicklung eines Integrated Assessment Modells:
  31. Occupational e-Mental Health
  32. How accurate are drivers' predictions of their own mobility? Accounting for psychological factors in the development of intelligent charging technology for electric vehicles
  33. Member States as 'Rambos' in EU Asylum Politics
  34. "Äh, was ich sagen wollte ..."
  35. Geteilte Sorge
  36. Intermediale Performances