06
January
2022
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05:00
Europe/Amsterdam

New research reveals link between weight loss groups and increased mental toughness

Study reveals that receiving expert group support helps people to lose more weight and can increase their mental toughness compared to those who go it alone

The UK’s first study1 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 without support – 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 pandemic2, with the average gain being half a stone, while more than half of adults (60%) and over two thirds of young people (68%) said their mental health got worse during lockdown3. 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, is linked to characteristics such as keeping a clear focus on goals even when under pressure, having a strong sense of purpose and self-determination, and feeling in control. While it’s linked to resilience, it’s about more than being resilient, with sport psychologists noting mental toughness is what gives an elite athlete an edge. This is the first time the concept has been investigated in relation to weight loss. 

Dr Elizabeth Stamp, who studied the role of mental toughness on health-related lifestyle behaviour change when completing her PhD at the University of Lincoln, 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. 

Dr Elizabeth Stamp, Lecturer at Loughborough University
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. 
Dr Elizabeth Stamp, Lecturer at Loughborough University

Professor Peter Clough4, Technical Director at AQR International, developed the 4Cs model of mental toughness: 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 five decades. 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. By encouraging our members to try new foods, transform old, unhealthy habits and change their perception of food and activity, we create an environment for our members to challenge themselves on their own timescales. 

 “The mental toughness findings are supported by member data from Slimming World groups which reveals that as members progress on their weight loss journey, they feel more sociable, happier, calmer and more peaceful, and feel they have more energy.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs at Slimming World
Slimming World members are less likely to say they feel downhearted, stressed, or anxious compared to non-members from the general population. 
Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs at Slimming World

Dr Jacquie continues: "Members’ emotional wellbeing improved over their time at Slimming World and even remained higher during the COVID lockdown, when Slimming World introduced their virtual groups for members, than when they first joined. They also had higher emotional wellbeing scores than non-members.” 

About Slimming World

1 Longitudinal Investigation into Mental Toughness, Weight Loss, and Eating Behaviours http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/28659/ : Dr Elizabeth Stamp, University of Lincoln, 2017 

2 Public Health England - Better Health Adult Obesity Study 2021 

3 The Mental Health Emergency - Study by Mind June 2020

4 Professor Peter Clough is writer and co-writer of almost 50 articles and books on mental toughness, including 2002’s ground-breaking Developing Mental Toughness, a big-seller acknowledged as the definitive guide. 

 

About Slimming World 

Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in Derbyshire in 1969 and has become the UK and Ireland’s leading weight loss organisation with more people choosing to attend a Slimming World group each week than any other weight loss programme. We support hundreds of thousands of people, both in our groups and online, to lose weight and to adopt new habits to stay slim for life. 

 Over the years our founding principles haven’t changed: 

  • Our unique programme is based on a powerfully motivating support system called IMAGE (Individual Motivation and Group Experience) Therapy. Underpinned by a deep understanding of the psychology of overweight people, and incorporating the most effective sustainable behaviour change techniques, IMAGE Therapy is designed to inspire and motivate slimmers to make positive changes and to develop new, healthier habits around food and activity. 
  • Food Optimising is our healthy eating plan, based on the liberating concept of Free Food. We encourage our members to fill up on those foods that are naturally lower in energy density (calories per gram) and also highly satisfying while limiting foods that are highest in fat and sugar and are less satisfying, so they lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived and without having to weigh, measure or count everything they eat. 
  • Our activity programme, Body Magic, encourages members to become more active, more often in ways that they enjoy, until regular physical activity becomes an intrinsic part of daily routine. 

 Above all, at the heart of everything we do, lies our passion for treating every member with genuine care, empathy and respect. 

 We’re proud to work with the NHS, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), The Royal College of Midwives and others to help shape the future of weight management in the UK. 

 For further information please contact the Slimming World press office on email public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk