Personal advice helps slimmers keep weight off
Publication Date:12/03/2008
For many would-be slimmers, the biggest battle is keeping the weight off once they've lost it. In a new study, researchers found that people who'd already lost weight did best at keeping their weight down when they had regular contact with a trained weight-loss counsellor.
What do we know already?
Roughly two thirds of men and half of all women in the UK weigh more than is healthy. Around a quarter of UK adults are very overweight (obese). Being overweight can increase a person's risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart problems.
Although doctors know that losing even small amounts of weight can improve people's health, that's easier said than done. Although many people manage to lose weight, it can be very difficult to keep it off in the long term. Although the basics of weight loss are simple, such as eating fewer calories and doing regular exercise, it can be hard to stay motivated over several months or years.
Researchers have now looked at a group of over 1,000 people, to see how best they could control their weight over several years.
What does the new study say?
Everyone in the study had successfully completed a six-month weight loss programme, losing 8.5 kilograms (19 pounds) on average. Some of the people were given information about keeping the weight off, then left to themselves. Others were given access to a website that allowed them to monitor their weight, set goals for themselves and chat online with other people who were trying to lose weight. A third group of people had a meeting once a month with a weight-loss adviser, which usually meant a 15-minute phone conversation, but also involved an hour-long, face-to-face meeting every few months.
Most people regained some weight, whatever treatment they got. But people who had contact with an adviser did best at keeping the weight off.
After 2.5 years, people who were only given information on weight loss regained 5.5 kilograms (12 pounds). People who used the website regained 5.2 kilograms (slightly over 11 pounds). People who'd been able to talk to an adviser regained only 4 kilograms (about 9 pounds).
Where does the study come from?
The researchers were based at several US research centres, including Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
What does this mean for me?
The surprising thing about this study is that people using the website and people who had an adviser got pretty much the same advice. They were asked to monitor their weight, given advice on staying motivated and set a goal of at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. They were asked to eat a diet high in fruit, vegetables and grains, and low in fat, sugar and fizzy drinks. Even though they got the same advice, people who talked to an adviser did slightly better at keeping their weight down over 2.5 years.
The study offers some hope for anyone trying to lose weight and keep it off. Overall, about 4 in 10 people finished up weighing at least 4 kg (about 9 pounds) less than they did at the start of the study. The researchers stressed that losing even small amounts of weight can improve your health.
However, the study only included people who had already managed to lose some weight, so these people might be especially well-motivated.
What should I do now?
The study shows that getting help from another person can help you keep weight off. So, if you're trying to lose weight or keep it off, you might want to try finding someone to help keep you motivated.
Your doctor can give you advice about controlling your weight, and may be able to refer you to a dietitian. You might not be able to get regular advice from your GP or another health professional, but you may be able to find other ways of getting support. The study looked at trained weight-loss counsellors, but you could also try talking to family or friends, joining a weight-loss group, or even getting help from a fitness instructor.
It's important to set safe and realistic goals for losing weight. Your doctor can help you aim for a healthy weight based on your height and build. A realistic target could be to lose up to a kilogram (1 to 2 pounds) each week. Choosing a diet you're comfortable with and fitting exercise into your daily routine (such as walking to the shops) may make it easier to stick with your regime and keep weight off in the long term.
From:
Svetkey LP, Stevens VJ, Brantley PJ, et al. Comparison of strategies for sustaining weight loss: the weight loss maintenance randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008; 299: 1139-1148.
To read more, see our information on obesity.
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
