Effect of Internet support on the long-term maintenance of weight loss

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2004-02, Vol.12 (2), p.320-329
• Main Authors: Harvey-Berino, J, Pintauro, S, Buzzell, P, Gold, E.C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Behavior Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; interactive television; Internet; Interpersonal Relations; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity - psychology; Obesity - therapy; obesity treatment; Self-Help Groups; Social Support; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Weight Loss
• ISSN: 1071-7323; 1930-7381; 1550-8528; 1930-739X
• DOI: 10.1038/oby.2004.40

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of an Internet weight maintenance program. Research Methods and Procedures: Two hundred fifty‐five healthy overweight and obese adults (mean ± SD BMI, 31.8 ± 4.1 kg/m2) men (18%; mean ± SD age, 45.8 ± 8.9 yrs) participated in a 6‐month behavioral weight control program conducted over interactive television. Treatment was followed by a 12‐month weight maintenance program with three conditions: frequent in‐person support (F‐IPS), minimal in‐person support (M‐IPS) and internet support (IS). Main outcome measures included body weight, program adherence, and social influence components. Results: There were no significant differences among the groups in weight loss (mean ± SD) from baseline to 18 months (7.6 ± 7.3 kg vs. 5.5 ± 8.9 kg vs. 5.1 ± 6.5 kg, p = 0.23 for the IS, M‐IPS, and F‐IPS, respectively). Discussion: Participants assigned to an internet‐based weight maintenance program sustained comparable weight loss over 18 months compared with individuals who continued to meet face‐to‐face. Therefore, the internet appears to be a viable medium for promoting long‐term weight maintenance.