Weight Regain Prevention

• Published in: Clinical diabetes 2008-07, Vol.26 (3), p.100-113
• Main Authors: Garcia Ulen, Christina, Huizinga, Mary Margaret, Beech, Bettina, Elasy, Tom A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diabetes; Diagnosis; Diet; Drug therapy; Exercise; Nutrition; Obesity; Physical fitness; Physiological aspects; Prevention; Weight control; Weight loss
• ISSN: 0891-8929; 1945-4953
• DOI: 10.2337/diaclin.26.3.100

Weight Regain Prevention Christina Garcia Ulen , Mary Margaret Huizinga , MD, MPH , Bettina Beech , DrPH and Tom A. Elasy , MD, MPH Abstract IN BRIEF Long-term maintenance of weight loss is an important, but often elusive, goal. Diet and pharmacological treatments for obesity are generally effective at inducing 8-10% weight reductions by 6 months. Thereafter, weight regain is a common phenomenon. Maintenance-phase medication and individual and group follow-up slow weight regain such that weight reductions at program completion average 2-6, 2-7, and 2-7% greater, respectively, than those in control groups receiving no maintenance contact. Consistent and structured eating, frequent self-weighing, and high levels of physical activity acquired through short bouts of brisk walking are pragmatic recommendations to support weight regain prevention. Footnotes Christina Garcia Ulen is third-year student at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. Mary Margaret Huizinga, MD, MPH, is an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Bettina Beech, DrPH, is an associate professor at the Diabetes Research and Training Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Tom A. Elasy, MD, MPH, is director of the Prevention and Control Core of the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and medical director of the Vanderbilt Eskind Diabetes Center. He is also editor-in-chief of Clinical Diabetes. American Diabetes Association