Long-term weight loss success and the health behaviours of adults in the USA: findings from a nationally representative cross-sectional study.

Objective To describe the relationship between long-term weight loss (LTWL) success and lifestyle behaviours among US adults. Design Serial cross-sectional data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2007–2014. Setting and participants Population-based nationally representative sample. The analytic sample included 3040 adults aged 20–64 years who tried to lose weight in the past year. Measures Participants were grouped into five LTWL categories ( Results Individuals in the 15%–19.9% LTWL group differed significantly from the reference group ( Conclusion Among a national sample of adults, a higher level of LTWL success does not necessarily equate to healthy weight loss behaviours. Future research should attempt to design interventions aimed at facilitating weight loss success while encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviours.