Personal Contact Helps Maintain Weight Loss

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After 30 months, the personal contact group had regained an average of 8.8 pounds less than the self-directed group. The difference between the personal contact group and the interactive technology group was 3.3 pounds.

"I think that the tools we used in the weight loss phase and then tried to reinforce in the maintenance phase may have been easier to reinforce in an in-person setting," Svetkey said. "There's something about human contact that seems to make a big difference."

Dr. Kelly Machesky is medical director of the St. John Weight Loss Institute in Michigan. She said, "I believe the crux of [the personal contact group's success] has to do with someone else taking an interest in seeing the outcome."

Overall, 71 percent of the study volunteers maintained at least some weight loss over 30 months.

"Change is possible. Truly, you can make a difference with simply reducing caloric intake and increasing energy expenditure," said Machesky, who added that this study's finding suggests that surrounding yourself with people who are supportive could also be helpful.

More information

The Weight-control Information Network has more on weight loss for life.