Attitude Toward Exercise A Major Predictor of Weight Loss Success

While all of us likely recognize the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of routine exercise, many obese and overweight people harbor negative emotions of self-consciousness that deter them from going to health clubs and gyms. Wayne C. Miller, from George Washington University Medical Center (Washington DC, USA), and colleagues surveyed 730 men and 822 women as to their attitudes towards exercising at a health club twice-weekly.  The researchers found that obese/overweight survey respondents, moreso than those with normal weight, believe that exercise improves appearance and self image. However, obese/overweight survey respondents feel more embarrassed about working out in front of strangers, feel intimidated about using complicated equipment, and worry about looking less attractive than other club visitors.  Reporting that: “Age rather than weight affects exercise intent and that overweight women are more embarrassed about exercising than normal-weight women and overweight men,” the team states that: “The heavier the subject's weight, the lower his or her perception of health.” They encourage that: “Increasing the overweight person's positive beliefs while decreasing negative beliefs about health club exercise will improve his or her intent to exercise at a health club.”