Approaches for Improving Long-term Weight Loss

Participants were asked, 'How satisfied were you with the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention that you received over the past 3 months' on a 1-10 scale (1=very dissatisfied, 10=very satisfied)

Yoga or control intervention sessions attended, expressed as a percentage (# of sessions completed/# of sessions possible x 100).

Number of participants completing the 6-month assessment visit. Percentage of total participants can be computed as follows: the number of participants completing the 6-month assessment divided by the total number of participants who completed the 3-month weight loss program and learned of their randomization assignment

Perceived stress scores range from 0-40, with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. Change in perceived stress was calculated as follows: 24-week perceived stress score minus 12-week perceived stress score. Negative change scores indicate that perceived stress was reduced as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention whereas positive scores indicate that perceived stress increased.

The observation subscale assesses the ways we use our sensory awareness. It involves how we see, feel, and perceive the internal and external world around us and select the stimuli that require our attention and focus. Mindfulness subscale scores range from 8-40, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness. Change in mindfulness subscale was calculated as follows: 24-week mindfulness subscale score minus 12-week mindfulness subscale score. Negative change scores indicate that mindfulness was reduced as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention whereas positive scores indicate that mindfulness increased.

The describing subscale evaluates the way we label our experiences and express them in words to ourselves and others. Subscale scores range from 8-40, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness. Change in mindfulness subscale was calculated as follows: 24-week mindfulness subscale score minus 12-week mindfulness subscale score. Negative change scores indicate that mindfulness was reduced as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention whereas positive scores indicate that mindfulness increased.

This subscale examines whether we can act out of quick judgment and get out of the autopilot mode before responding to a situation. Subscale scores range from 8-40, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness. Change in mindfulness subscale was calculated as follows: 24-week mindfulness subscale score minus 12-week mindfulness subscale score. Negative change scores indicate that mindfulness was reduced as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention whereas positive scores indicate that mindfulness increased.

This subscale assesses the degree of self-acceptance and unconditional empathy for oneself and others. Subscale scores range from 8-40, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness. Change in mindfulness subscale was calculated as follows: 24-week mindfulness subscale score minus 12-week mindfulness subscale score. Negative change scores indicate that mindfulness was reduced as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention whereas positive scores indicate that mindfulness increased.

This subscale assesses active detachment from negative thoughts and emotions so that we can accept their existence and choose not to react to them. Subscale scores range from 7-35, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness. Change in mindfulness subscale was calculated as follows: 24-week mindfulness subscale score minus 12-week mindfulness subscale score. Negative change scores indicate that mindfulness was reduced as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention whereas positive scores indicate that mindfulness increased.

The Distress Tolerance Scale is a 15-item measure designed to assess one's perceived ability to tolerate emotional distress. Total scores range from 15-75 with higher scores on the scale indicate greater levels of distress tolerance. Change in distress tolerance was calculated as follows: 24-week distress tolerance score minus 12-week distress tolerance score. Negative change scores indicate that distress tolerance decreased as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education intervention whereas positive scores indicate that distress tolerance increased.

Calculated as the percentage of weight lost from 12 to 24 weeks, as a result of the yoga or cooking/dietary education interventions. It was calculated as follows: (24-week weight minus 12-week weight) / 12-week weight x 100. Positive numbers indicate weight gain whereas negative numbers indicate weight loss.