Weight ‘locus of control’ and weight management in an urban population

Background: To assess the extent to which Weight Locus of control relates to BMI and socio-economic status in an urban population. Methods: 232 people responded to a questionnaire relating to bodyweight, health, weight management and the ‘weight locus of control’. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of 2600 people in Sheffield, United Kingdom. The questionnaires were distributed into diverse 'ward' areas; data was collected in 2016. Results: In the present investigation BMI correlated with ward area (P<0.001) (BMI was 27.5kg/m² ± 6.8 in ward area 1 versus 23.6kg/m² ± 4.1 in ward area 4). The higher an individual's BMI the more 'external' they were in relation to their perception of factors affecting weight control (P=0.024). Higher status occupation was correlated with a greater likelihood of having an internal weight locus of control (P=0.004). Having a high BMI was correlated with concern over health (P=0.041). Conclusions: People of higher weight and lower occupational status have more external loci of control. Key theoretical and clinical approaches to behaviour change (e.g. Self-Determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing) suggest that 'internality' is a desirable locus of control orientation. Consideration of the findings from the present investigation conclude that for weight management practice, professionals could focus on developing 'internality'.