title: Effect of a 12-week weight management program on the clinical characteristics and dietary intake of the young obese and the contributing factors to the successful weight loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to investigate the effect of a 12-wk intervention with behavioral modification on clinical characteristics and dietary intakes of young and otherwise healthy obese and to identify factors for successful weight loss. The goal was to lose 0.5 kg per week by reducing 300-500 kcal/day and by increasing physical activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty four obese subjects (BMI > 25) and 19 normal weight subjects (BMI 18.5-23) finished the 12-week intervention. Obese subjects participated in 5 group educations and 6 individual counseling sessions. Normal weight subjects attended 6 individual counseling sessions for evaluations of dietary intake and exercise pattern. Anthropometric and clinical characteristics and 3-day dietary records were evaluated at baseline and week12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight and serum triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations in obese group decreased significantly with intervention. Intakes of energy, fat, and cholesterol decreased significantly in the obese. Active participation, realistic weight loss goal setting, and weight gain after high school graduation not during childhood were identified as key factors for successful weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 12-week intervention with behavioral modification resulted in reduced energy and fat intakes and led to significant weight loss and improvements of clinical characteristics in the obese. The finding that those who became obese during childhood lost less weight indicates the importance of 'early' intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: AeJin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyeong Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi, 420-717, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Kyeong
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea. ; Research Institute of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Nim
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Obesity; behavioral modification; clinical parameters; dietary intake; weight loss