[Body weight fluctuation and life-style change after short-term weight reduction programs].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence rate after short-term weight reduction programs and to clarify the related life-style factors in community-residing obese women.


METHODS
The study subjects were 243 women who completed twelve-week weight reduction programs held at the health promotion center in Tokyo from 1992 to 1999. The program consisted of exercise training and individualized diet education once a week. They were instructed to increase their daily walking steps. A mail-survey using a present body weight, walking steps, and diet any habits questionnaire was conducted in November 1999.


RESULTS
128 women (54%) responded to the questionnaire. They were 51.6 +/- 9.6 years old and 4 years had passed on average after the program. Among these, 126 women provided their present body weight. Their mean BMI was 26.7 +/- 2.6 and 25.5 +/- 2.6 before and after the program respectively. Their present BMI was 25.8 +/- 2.9 which was significantly higher than the value immediately after the program (P < 0.01). 54 women (42.9%) increased their BMI by more than 1 kg/m2 after the program (rebound-group). 24 women (19.0%) decreased their BMI by more than 1 kg/m2 and 28 women (22.2%) maintained their ideal BMI defined as less than 24 kg/m2 after the program (adherent-group). In the other 20 women (15.9%), BMI did not change significantly after the program, but their present BMI was over 24 (27.4 +/- 2.8). The mean present daily walking-steps were significantly lower in the rebound than the adherent-group although the percentage with a exercise habit did not differ between the two groups. Diet any behavior was also more favorable in the adherent-group.


CONCLUSIONS
After 4 years on average from the end of short-term body-weight reduction programs, 42.9% of the participants had regained their original weight. Maintaining increased physical activity and a favorable diet is important for persistent weight reduction in obese women.
Mitsuhashi
Etsuko
E
Department of Health Economics and Health Promotion Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo.
Lee
Jung Su
JS
Kawakubo
Kiyoshi
K
D000328:Adult; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D015431:Weight Loss