Weight loss in a community initiative that promotes decreased energy intake and increased physical activity and dairy consumption: Calcium Weighs-In.
BACKGROUND
This project addresses the need to identify feasible, effective weight-management programs that can be implemented within communities. The controversial role of dairy products in weight-management programs is also explored.


METHODS
The "Calcium Weighs-In" weight-loss program placed equal emphasis on diet and physical activity and was delivered within a community intervention to promote dairy consumption in Calcium, New York. One hundred ninety-nine adults in Calcium, NY, participated in the weight-loss program. Weight loss, increase in dairy intake, increase in steps, decrease in blood pressure, decrease in waist circumference, and decrease in body mass index (BMI) were examined.


RESULTS
The mean weight loss for 116 subjects who completed the program was 6.0 +/- 4.2 kg (mean +/- SD, P < .0001) with a percent weight change of 6.4% +/- 4.2% (P < .0001). An increase of 3582 +/- 4070 steps (P < .0001), as well as an increase of 0.8 +/- 1.2 dairy servings (P < .0001) was seen. Higher average dairy consumption was associated with greater weight loss and a greater decrease in waist circumference.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that effective weight-management programs can be implemented within communities. The results are also consistent with recommendations to include low-fat dairy products and a physical activity component in weight-management programs.
Wyatt
Holly R
HR
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Dept of Pediatrics, Center for Human Nutrition, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Jortberg
Bonnie T
BT
Babbel
Christine
C
Garner
Sara
S
Dong
Fang
F
Grunwald
Gary K
GK
Hill
James O
JO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012424:Rural Population; D015431:Weight Loss