title: Effects of different weight loss intervention programmes in health clubs - an observational multicenter study.
abstract: This study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of three lifestyle intervention programmes in health clubs "exercise only" (E), "exercise plus nutritional counselling" (E + NC), and "exercise plus weight loss program" (E + WLP) on weight loss under real-life conditions. An observational multicenter study including 788 overweight/obese new customers of 95 health clubs in Germany was performed. Participants chose E (n = 512, 38 ± 14 year, BMI 30.4 ± 4.7 kg/m(2)), E + NC (n = 179, 42 ± 14 year, BMI 31.7 ± 4.5 kg/m(2)), or E + WLP (n = 97, 40 ± 11 year, BMI 31.6 ± 5.1 kg/m(2)). Anthropometric data, energy expenditure, and energy intake were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. All groups significantly reduced body weight (E: -1.5 ± 2.9 kg, E + NC: -3.4 ± 3.6 kg, E + WLP: -5.5 ± 4.3 kg, p < .001 within and between groups) and body fat (E: -1.2 ± 2.4%, E + NC: -2.0 ± 2.4%, E + WLP: -3.1 ± 2.5%, p < .001 within and between groups). However, only E + WLP achieved a clinically significant weight loss of -5.9 ± 3.9%. Exercise energy expenditure increased and energy intake decreased significantly in all groups (p < .001), but to different extents. This investigation suggests that under field conditions exercise plus dietary interventions are more effective for weight loss than exercise alone. The benefits of E + WLP emphasize that interventions even performed by health clubs may elicit clinically relevant weight loss in overweight and obese new customers and can therefore be recommended.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Science, German University of Applied Sciences for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) , Hermann Neuberger Sportschule 3, 66123 Saarbrücken , Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wanjek
authors.affiliation: b Sports Equipment and Materials , Technische Universität München (TUM) , Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85747 Garching b. Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Veit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Senner
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Science, German University of Applied Sciences for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) , Hermann Neuberger Sportschule 3, 66123 Saarbrücken , Germany.
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scharhag-Rosenberger
authors.affiliation: c Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine (PRS) , Technische Universität München (TUM) , Georg-Brauchle-Ring 56 (Campus C), 80992 Munich , Germany.|d DZHK (German Centre of Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany.|e Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Zentrum, Klinikum rechts der Isar , Munich , Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Weight management; exercise; fitness centre; nutritional counselling; obesity