Technical skills for weight loss: 2-y follow-up results of a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sustained effectiveness of a novel skill-based intervention for weight loss.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
A total of 80 overweight/obese women living in Connecticut.


METHODS
Absolute weight difference measured in pounds and absolute change in body mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes included changes in food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data and waist-to-hip ratio.


RESULTS
In all 61, 35, and 34% of study participants completed the 6-, 12-, and 24-month assessments, respectively. At 6 months postintervention, both counseling-based (CBI) and skill-based (SBI) intervention groups had statistically significant decreases in absolute weight (4.0+/-3.6 and 1.7+/-3.0 kg, respectively). Compared to their baseline values, both CBI and SBI groups still maintained weight losses at 24 months (1.1+/-5.8 and 0.59+/-3.3 kg, respectively); however, the differences were not statistically significant. FFQ results showed that, within the SBI group, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in percent fat from baseline to 12 months and a nearly significant decrease in saturated fat from baseline to 24 months (P=0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Both the novel SBI and conventional dietary counseling demonstrated some residual weight loss benefit at 2 y. Effects of the SBI on dietary intake patterns are encouraging, and warrant further study.
Yeh
M-C
MC
Yale Prevention Research Center, Derby, CT 06418, USA.
Rodriguez
E
E
Nawaz
H
H
Gonzalez
M
M
Nakamoto
D
D
Katz
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D015431:Weight Loss