title: Successful weight loss with self-help: a stepped-care approach.
abstract: In a stepped-care approach to treatment, patients are transitioned to more intensive treatments when less intensive treatments fail to meet treatment goals. Self-help programs are recommended as an initial, low intensity treatment phase in stepped-care models. This investigation examined the effectiveness of a self-help, stepped-care weight loss program. Fifty-eight overweight/obese adults (BMI ≥27 kg/m(2)) participated in a weight loss program. Participants were predominately Caucasian (93.1%) and female (89.7%) with a mean BMI of 36.6 (SD=7.1). Of those completing the program, 57% of participants (N=21) who remained in self-help maintained an 8% weight loss at follow-up. Participants who were stepped-up self-monitored fewer days and reported higher daily caloric intake than self-help participants. Once stepped-up, weight loss outcomes were equivalent between individuals who remained in self-help compared to those who were stepped-up. Individuals who were stepped-up benefited from early intensive intervention when unsuccessful at losing weight with self-help.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. rcarels@bgsu.edu
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Carels
authors.forename: Carissa B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Wott
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gumble
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Darby
authors.forename: Marissa Wagner
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Oehlhof
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Afton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koball
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss