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January 2009
Regular follow-ups help with long term weight loss
A recent study among 234 obese women who completed a 6 month weight-loss program showed those who continued to receive dietary counseling after the program was over were more successful at keeping their weight off than women who only received newsletters with diet tips.
The study showed that weight loss was sustained and weight re-gain largely prevented when the women received either fortnightly face-to-face or telephone counseling sessions over the year following their initial program. The counseling provided advice on how to overcome hurdles in maintaining their healthy new lifestyle, and motivated the women to keep records of what they ate each day.
Take-home message: Successful long term weight loss requires ongoing effort. Regular follow-up sessions with your dietitian will help you reach your goal weight and stay there!
Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, November 2008
Weight loss programs benefit partners too!
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In a recent study, 357 overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes who took part in two different programs over 12 months to improve their heart health were surveyed to assess the impact of their dietary and lifestyle changes on the health of their spouses.
Twenty six percent (26%) of the spouses of participants assigned to an intensive lifestyle intervention lost greater than or equal to 5% of their body weight, compared to just 9% of the spouses of people who received only basic diabetes support and education.
Spouses lost more weight when their partners involved in the programs lost greater amounts of weight, and greater weight loss was also seen when the amount of high-fat foods kept in the home was minimised. |
Take-home message: Social support can greatly improve weight loss outcomes, so tackling weight loss with a friend or partner may just give you the edge you need to beat the battle of the bulge!
Source: International Journal of Obesity, September 2008 (online)
Aussies urged to lose weight for health, not image
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At an obesity forum held in late 2008, Professor Adrian Bauman, director of the Australian Centre for Health Promotion, conveyed the message that a ‘slim couch potato has poorer health prospects than an overweight person who exercises regularly’. Overweight, active people are more likely than slim, inactive people to have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Professor Bauman highlighted that it is common for people to start an exercise regime and when they don’t see results straight away, they tend to give up. However it is much more beneficial for a person’s general health for them to continue with the regime, even if weight loss is not achieved. |
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Take-home message: Focus on the bigger picture of long term health rather than short term weight loss the next time you are deciding whether or not to go for that walk!
Report questioned – are high GI foods really addictive?
A report in the November 2008 edition of Medical Hypotheses journal has received widespread media coverage due to its theory that foods with a high glycemic index (GI) are addictive.
The report hypothesizes that glycemic index is the element of food that predicts its addictive potential, which may therefore affect obesity. The authors also liken the issue of food addiction to that of drug addiction. However there is no strong evidence presented in the report that demonstrates high GI foods are in fact addictive, and the paper itself acknowledges that the significance of GI contributing to obesity is not yet known. Applying the concept of ‘food addiction’ to public health obesity messages, like the author suggests, is therefore premature and potentially risky.
Take-home message: Many high GI foods are nutritionally poor food choices and should not take centre stage in a person’s diet anyway. Including a variety of different food types in moderation is the key to achieving a balanced eating pattern.
Source: Medical Hypotheses, November 2008
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