Is your weight loss New Year’s resolution losing inertia?
Studies indicate that nearly 75 percent of dieters gain at least 90 percent of their weight back in less than a year. Not too encouraging, to say the least.
One way to prevent a relapse is through therapy, according to a University of South Florida study. Thirty-two people who had completed a 12-week weight loss program consisting of behavior modification and aerobic exercise participated in the study. Part of the group entered a therapist-supported maintenance program in which relapse prevention training was given; the rest served as a control group where contact with a therapist was minimal.
In three, six, and twelve-month follow-ups, the group in maintenance therapy maintained their weight loss better than the control subjects. The researchers concluded that support emphasizing relapse prevention tips from a therapist was essential to keeping weight off.
(Baum JG, Clark HB, Snadler J. Preventing relapse in obesity through post-treatment maintenance systems; comparing the relative efficacy of two levels of therapist support. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. June 1991;14 (3): 287-302.)
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