Psychological well-being factors and the likelihood of transitioning from overweight and obesity to normal weight at population level: Evidence from two cohort studies of UK adults

We examined the prospective associations between psychological well-being related factors (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, self-efficacy) and transitioning from overweight and obesity to normal body weight) (vs. persistence of overweight and obesity) and change in body mass index (BMI). We used multiple baselines and follow-ups from the National Child and Development Study (NCDS) (8,513 observations) and the British Cohort Study (BCS) (11,113 observations). A proportion (8-9%) of participants with overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25) at baseline transitioned into normal weight (BMI 18.5 - < 25) by follow-ups. There was no evidence of better psychological well-being related factors (e.g., lower depressive symptoms) associated with a transition from overweight and obesity to normal weight or reduced BMI in each cohort and pooled cohort analyses. However, age and gender were associated with the transition. Therefore, better psychological well-being may not be associated with likelihood of weight loss once obesity is developed in adulthood.