Telephone-based diet and exercise coaching and a weight-loss supplement result in weight and fat loss in 120 men and women.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the effects of telephone-based coaching and a weight-loss supplement on the weight and body fat (BF) of overweight adults.


METHODS
Randomized, placebo-controlled experiment with assessments at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months.


METHODS
Community.


METHODS
Sixty overweight or obese men and 60 overweight or obese women, 25 to 60 years


METHODS
Eleven 30-minute telephone coaching sessions were spaced throughout the study; the initial conversation lasted 60 to 90 minutes. Supplement or placebo capsules were taken daily over the 17 weeks.


METHODS
Weight was measured using an electronic scale, and BF was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
Subjects taking the placebo lost 1.8 +/- 3.3 kg of weight and 0.7 +/- 2.2 kg of BF, whereas supplement users lost more: 3.1 +/- 3.7 kg of weight (F = 4.1, P = .045) and 1.7 +/- 2.6 kg of BF (F = 4.4, p = .039). Participants receiving no coaching lost 1.8 +/- 3.3 kg of weight and 0.7 +/- 2.2 kg of BF, whereas adults receiving coaching lost more: 3.2 +/- 3.6 kg of weight (F = 4.8, p = .032) and 1.6 +/- 2.5 kg of BF (F = 4.2, p = .044). Adults receiving both the supplement and coaching had the greatest losses of weight and BF, suggesting an additive effect (F = 3.2, p = .026; F = 2.9, p = .039, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Both treatments, coaching and the supplement, viewed separately and in combination, worked to help subjects lose weight and BF. Adults can be educated and motivated via telephone to change behaviors leading to weight loss, and a weight-loss supplement can be included to increase success.
Tucker
Larry A
LA
College of Health and Human Performance, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA. tucker@byu.edu
Cook
Amy J
AJ
Nokes
Neil R
NR
Adams
Troy B
TB
D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012737:Sex Factors; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents