title: Improving weight maintenance using virtual reality (Second Life).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compare weight loss and maintenance between a face-to-face (FTF) weight management clinic and a clinic delivered via virtual reality (VR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized to 3 months of weight loss with a weekly clinic delivered via FTF or VR and then 6 months' weight maintenance delivered with VR. Data were collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months for weight and process variables. Twenty overweight and obese individuals (31.1 ± 3.6 years of age; body mass index, 32.8 ± 5.1; 85% females; 20% minorities) responded to advertisement and met inclusion criteria. Diets (1,200-1,800 kcal/d) used prepackaged meals, fruits and vegetables, and physical activity (300 min/wk).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight loss was significantly greater for FTF at 10.8% compared with 7.6% for VR (P < .05). However, weight maintenance was significantly greater for VR at 14.0% compared with 9.5% for FTF (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Virtual reality compares favorably with FTF for weight loss and may facilitate greater weight maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. dsulliva@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Debra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Jeannine R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.forename: Bryan K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jaehoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerald
authors.forename: Tennille
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fincham
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D015431:Weight Loss