Question

"A woman is using behavior modification to change her eating habits in order to lose weight. Which of the following behaviors would be most helpful?

a. When dining out, she asks for a box at the beginning of the meal and takes half of her meal home.
b. She plans to reward herself with her favorite meal once she reaches her weight loss goal.
c. She is skipping lunch to eliminate the calories from her usual fast food restaurant.
d. She has asked her husband to scold her when she eats something not on her diet plan.
e. She watches television while eating so that she can get more accomplished each day."

Answer 1

The most helpful behavior modification for weight loss is asking for a box at the start of a meal when dining out to control portion sizes, as it supports self-monitoring and aligns with evidence-based approaches for sustainable weight management.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the behaviors listed to change eating habits for weight loss, the most helpful would be: a) When dining out, she asks for a box at the beginning of the meal and takes half of her meal home. This behavior aligns with evidence-based behavioral recommendations that emphasize the importance of self-monitoring and control over food portions to ensure a healthier weight. Additionally, it helps in reducing energy intake to align with energy expenditures for body functions and activity, which is critical for weight loss.

The other behaviors listed, such as rewarding oneself with a favorite meal (b) or asking a partner to scold (d) for diet deviations, may not be as sustainably effective for weight control in comparison to modifying immediate eating habits like monitoring portion sizes. Skipping meals (c) can lead to potential overeating later and watching television while eating (e) can lead to mindless eating and overconsumption. Therefore, behavior 'a' offers the most direct and immediate way to modify eating habits in line with behavioral interventions for weight loss.