title: The LIFE program: a wellness approach to weight loss.
abstract: The LIFE (lifestyle change, individual readiness, fitness excellence, eating healthy) wellness program was an intensive, out-patient, healthy lifestyle change program with participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Our objective was to describe the LIFE program and to present before and after test results for this 1-year program. Fifty-three participants completed the 5-day intensive outpatient and 1-year follow-up program and maintained average weight losses of >10 pounds and 14 pounds for men and women, respectively. Most of the weight loss occurred by 6 months. Participants who completed the program also showed increases in healthy eating attitudes, well-being, and overall quality of life. The LIFE change model has implications for improved service retention, health, and overall quality of life or patient evidence that matters (POEMS). The program is both portable and flexible and can be tailored to the demands of the dynamic military environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Bowles
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Picano
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Epperly
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Myer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States