The Role of Continuous Support in Sustaining Weight Loss

Research has revealed that individuals who engage in regular support calls after losing weight are more successful in maintaining their weight reduction. However, additional calls when a person is at risk of regaining weight do not appear to offer any extra advantage. This finding comes from a study conducted by researchers at Advocate Aurora Research Institute and Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study monitored 255 adults suffering from obesity who had successfully shed at least 5% of their initial body weight during a 16-week weight-loss program. All participants were provided with monthly support calls. They were divided into two groups: one receiving calls once a month and another receiving calls based on an algorithm that indicated when they were at a higher risk of regaining weight.

After a follow-up period of 20 months, both groups managed to sustain an average weight loss of 8% from their starting weight, with around 60% of participants maintaining at least 5% of their initial weight. The lead researcher emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that they exceeded expectations regarding weight maintenance outcomes.

The intent behind the study was to determine whether a more tailored approach--providing extra support when an individual is most vulnerable to weight regain--would surpass the effectiveness of standard monthly check-ins. The results indicated that while both strategies were beneficial, the adaptive approach did not enhance weight maintenance compared to regular monthly calls.

The research team speculated on potential reasons for this outcome and expressed enthusiasm for future studies aimed at refining the algorithm used to predict weight regain. They advocated for the ongoing care for obesity to be treated as a chronic disease, akin to other long-term health conditions. The hope is that this research will inspire more healthcare facilities and programs to provide continuous support to help individuals keep the weight off.

All participants utilized smartphone applications and digital scales to monitor their progress and received guidance from trained health coaches.