Community-based approach to weight loss: the Pawtucket "weigh-in".
The Pawtucket Heart Health Program (PHHP), in its attempt to treat obesity in the community, has delivered many traditional group and self-help weight loss programs. However, in order to reach a sufficient number of people to produce a public health impact in Pawtucket, PHHP devised a monthly city-wide "weigh-in." This program, designed to be delivered by volunteers, allowed individuals to set a weight loss goal and pledge a monetary incentive toward this goal. Self-help materials and the opportunity to join weight loss groups were provided. In the pilot study, 129 (61%) of 213 enrollees completed the 10-week program with a mean weight loss of 8.2 lb (p less than .001). A large decrease in total serum cholesterol was also observed. Nonpersonnel costs, including the total costs of the cholesterol measurement, were $1.30 per pound lost. Moreover, success is also evident by continued availability of the program and the increasing number of new participants "referred" to the weigh-in by members.
Lasater
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Division of Health Education, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket 02860.
Sennett
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Lefebvre
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DeHart
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Peterson
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Carleton
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D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D015431:Weight Loss