Three-year follow-up of Pawtucket Heart Health's community-based weight loss programs.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based weight loss program.


METHODS
A questionnaire was administered by telephone to subjects one to three years following participation in a weight loss program.


METHODS
The study took place in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.  The Pawtucket Heart Health Program is part of this setting.


METHODS
A stratified sample of 400 subjects was randomly selected from 2,186 people who participated in weight loss programs between 1985 and 1987.  A total of 285 subjects completed the questionnaire; 229 subjects provided sufficient information to be included in the study.


METHODS
The subjects participated in community-based and worksite-based weight loss programs.


METHODS
Self-reported heights and weights before and after intervention and demographic data were collected.  Desirable body weight and Garrow's health risk classifications were calculated.


RESULTS
Overall, there was a 3.2% reduction in body weight between time of entrance into weight loss programs and time of interview.  Eighty percent of the participants lost weight in the program; mean weight loss was 11 pounds.  At time of follow-up interview one to three years later, 65% of subjects weighed less than at entrance into the community programs; on average, subjects weighed six pounds less.  Sixty-nine percent of the sample was above 20% desirable body weight at entrance and 26% of this group lost enough weight to lower their health risk category.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight loss in this community-based program compares favorably with those reported by more intense and expensive clinic-bound programs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02892.
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Del Prete
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English
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Caldwell
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Banspach
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Lefebvre
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012237:Rhode Island; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss