Fig. 1: Social, environmental and psychological factors that influence weight maintenance following weight loss.

The balance between energy intake due to eating and energy expenditure due to physical activity, thermic effect of food, and resting energy expenditure determines weight and the ability to maintain reduced weight after weight loss. The regulation of body weight via energy intake and expenditure is influenced by intrinsic factors such as psychological traits and personality factors, as listed in the figure. These are in turn influenced by a variety of environmental extrinsic factors that include socioeconomic, food, neighborhood, family and social environments.