Group versus individual cognitive-behavioral treatment for obesity: results after 36 months.
OBJECTIVE
This study is aimed at the comparison between an individual and a group cognitive-behavioral program for the treatment of obesity.


METHODS
Parallel series, prospective, 3-year study. A group program of 10 weekly sessions focused on lifestyle modification was compared with a similar, individual 10-session program. Fifty-seven patients were assigned to individual treatment, and 84 patients to the group program.


METHODS
One hundred- forty-one obese female outpatients without binge eating disorder, aged 42.0+/-11.6 years (m+/-SD), with Body Mass Index (BMI) 37.3+/-5.2 kg/m(2).


METHODS
BMI and waist circumference were measured at 0, 6, 12 and 36 months. Analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis.


RESULTS
Mean weight loss was superior with the group program at 6 months (2.0+/-3.9 vs 0.8+/-2.5 kg/m(2); p<0.05), while no difference between the two treatments was observed at 12 and 36 months. Mean waist circumference was significantly different at 6 months (group 97.4+/-2.5 vs individual 102.9+/-2.4, p<0.05), still remaining superior in the patients following individual treatment (100.2+/-5.0 vs 103.7+/-5.9) at 12 months, while no difference between the two treatments was observed at 36 months. The proportion of patients losing more than 5% of initial body weight with the group program (16.6, 15.5, and 38.1% at 6, 12, and 36 months, respectively) was not significantly different from that observed with individual treatment (5.3, 14.0, and 35.0%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
A group cognitive-behavioral program for the treatment of obesity is not inferior to a similar program applied in individual setting, and it may enhance weight loss (especially fat mass, according to the waist measurement) in the short term.
Cresci
B
B
Section of Metabolic Diseases and Diabetes, Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Tesi
F
F
La Ferlita
T
T
Ricca
V
V
Ravaldi
C
C
Rotella
C M
CM
Mannucci
E
E
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D015431:Weight Loss