A study conducted at The Miriam Hospital – a teaching affiliate of Brown University – is one of the first efforts to monitor patient weight loss maintenance for an entire decade. The research, detailed in a report published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in January 2014, reveals that loss of weight can be extended if patients follow several wellness behavioral guidelines.
J. Graham Thomas, PhD, led the study, which lasted 10 years, analyzing weight data and behavioral habits of more than 2000 patients. All of those who participated had exhibited longevity with their weight control by keeping their loss at 30 pounds or more for at least 12 months prior to entry in the study. When participants joined the study, their data was entered into the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) for tracking and analysis.
Achieving permanent weight loss
Thomas and his research team monitored the patients for 10 years. The objective of the research was essentially twofold:
- determine the success of patients at holding a reduced weight
- determine factors beneficial to patient efforts.
Thomas noted that the population that participated in the study was extraordinarily successful at weight loss maintenance, keeping off most of the pounds throughout the analysis time frame. Four behavioral guidelines that helped the participants achieve continued success were the following:
- regular exercise
- daily weight checks
- adherence to a diet with minimal fat
- reduction in the tendency to overeat.
The long-range picture for weight control
Specifically, the researchers found that almost 9 out of every 10 patients (87%) had kept their weight reduced a minimum of 10% after five years, with an identical finding after 10 years. Along with providing evidence of hope that weight loss can be effectively maintained, the study suggests that success is more likely in situations of extreme change: greater weight loss at the beginning yields a higher incidence of 10-year maintenance.
Thomas stated in his conclusion that the study represents a rare effort to monitor weight loss for an entire 10-year period. He asserted that the data makes it clear that weight loss can be maintained for lengthy periods of time, as long as individuals continue to follow the behavioral guidelines described above.
Getting to the first year of maintenance
The patients in the Brown University study were incredibly successful, but the pool of people chosen to participate had already been successful for a year. To take your initial steps toward long-lasting weight loss maintenance, benefit from the broad expertise and strategies of a multidisciplinary medical clinic: contact Weston Medical today.
