Abstract
Functional assessment is a part of behavior analysis used to determine the function of a behavior problem; however, the researcher did not find the use of functional assessments when using behavior management with overweight individuals. Four women (mean age in years = 27) and one male (23 years old) were eligible to participate. Participants had a mean weight of 210.7 pounds and an average BMI of 36. The WALI, DIET, and the WRT were administered to the participants as the functional assessment. Participants met with the researcher to learn and apply behavior management techniques. The study was an assessment and a descriptive study, lasting for 24 weeks. Average weight loss for all participants was 19.90 pounds over a 24 week period (range 5.8 – 33 pounds). Results of this study have implications for the use of individualized behavior management combined with functional assessment for the treatment of overweight persons.