The effect of grit on adherence to a weight control programme in adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v82.119099Keywords:
Perseverance of effort, consistency of interest, adaptability to situations, exercise adherence, lifestyle intervention, Psychological traitsAbstract
Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of grit on adherence to a six-month weight-management intervention programme in adults.
Methods: A six-month experimental time-series study was conducted (seven measurement occasions). The sample comprised an experimental group (EG; n = 9; age: 36.89 ± 7.59 years; BMI: 34.71 ± 5.77 Kg/m2) and a control group (CG; n = 10; age: 33.40 ± 10.84 years; BMI: 33.60 ± 5.40 Kg/m2). Both groups received a training programme and a dietary programme; only the EG received the grit programme. The following instruments and measures were administered: the TMGS, the Exercise Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the BREQ-3, the short-form Stages of Change scale, the dietary habits questionnaire, the OEE, exercise and dietary adherence indicators, and anthropometric assessments.
Results: Reliability and internal consistency analyses yielded Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.70 to 0.96. Although significant effects were observed over time (p < .05) for dietary habits, waist, WHR, FMA and FMB, no significant effects were found in the group or interaction between group and time, which can be attributed to variations throughout the seven measurements with similar changes between groups.
Conclusion: Grit levels remained stable and did not translate into greater adherence to exercise or dietary prescriptions. These findings suggest that internal grit development alone is insufficient to modify health behaviours in weight-management programmes and highlight the need to integrate external support strategies to strengthen adherence and promote sustained changes in habits.
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