Abstract

There is little evidence concerning the effectiveness of self-help materials for weight control. The aim of this study was to evaluate a self-help weightloss program. Obese (body fat >/=25.0 range=25.0-48.5, mean+/-SEM=36.5+/-1.3) men and women were given a workbook detailing a behavior modification approach to weight loss that emphasizes self-monitoring of diet and exercise behaviors, and then sent home for 6 mo to learn how to lose weight on their own. A group of 9 controls (CONT) who did not get a workbook were used for comparison. ANOVA showed that the experimental group (EXP) lost 8.1+/-0.9 kg body weight, 6.4+/-0.8 kg fat, and 3.9+/-0.6 body fat; all significant over time and different from the CONT who showed no change in these variables. The EXP also reduced their fat intake ( of joules) from 36.1+/-1 to 27.9+/-1.3, increased their carbohydrate intake from 45.7+/-1.2 to 50.0+/-1.7 and their protein intake from 16.3+/-0.06 to 20.7+/-0.7, all of which were significantly different than the CONT who did not change. Dietary fiber increased in the EXP from 19.8+/-1.4 to 27.3+/-2.2 g/d even with a significant reduction in energy intake (11.3+/-0.6 vs. 8.9+/-0.5Mj/d). EXP increased their exercise frequency from 1.5+/0.3 d/wk to 3.8+/-0.4 d/wk compared to no change (1.5+/-0.8 d/wk) for CONT. These data suggest that obese adults can teach themselves how to make positive changes in eating and exercise behaviors that result in fat loss. Verf.-Referat