Maintenance of weight loss in overweight middle-aged women through the Internet.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare weight regain in a group of perimenopausal women (48.0+/-4.4 years old), randomized to a 12-month weight maintenance Internet intervention or to self-directed weight maintenance after a 4-month weight loss treatment.


METHODS
After a 4-month behavioral weight loss program, 135 women were randomized to either Internet or self-directed groups. The Internet group (n=66) used a website to gain information and complete logs concerning their weight, diet, and exercise progress over a 12-month follow-up. The 69 self-directed women had no contact with study staff. All women were measured for weight and body composition, and diet intake, and were interviewed using the 7-day physical activity questionnaires at baseline, 4 months, and 16 months.


RESULTS
At the end of the 12-month follow-up, the Internet and self-directed groups had regained on average 0.4+/-5.0 kg and 0.6+/-4.0 kg, respectively (P=0.5). In within-group analyses, Internet diet-log entries were correlated with follow-up weight change (r=-0.29; P<0.05) and moderately with change in exercise energy expenditure (EEE; r=0.44; P<0.01). Follow-up weight change was not correlated with change in dietary intake.


CONCLUSIONS
While significant weight loss was maintained over follow-up by both groups of women, Internet use did not surpass self-direction in helping to sustain weight loss. Among Internet users, Internet use was related to weight change and EEE.
Cussler
Ellen C
EC
Department of Physiology, Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Teixeira
Pedro J
PJ
Going
Scott B
SB
Houtkooper
Linda B
LB
Metcalfe
Lauve L
LL
Blew
Robert M
RM
Ricketts
Jennifer R
JR
Lohman
J'Fleur
J
Stanford
Vanessa A
VA
Lohman
Timothy G
TG
D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*