Weight Loss Diet Expectations
Weight Loss Diet Expectations Study
Summary
A recent weight loss study suggests that patients who set weight loss
goals that are unattainable, even when counseled, will be disappointed
and feel a failure.
Weight Loss Diet Expectations Study
Aim
To determine whether patients' weight loss expectations change when they
were informed about how much they could expect to lose in one year of
lifestyle modification combined with medication (sibutramine).
Weight Loss Diet Expectations Study
Method
53 women completed a questionnaire asking them how much weight they expected
to lose after 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks of treatment. They were told they
could expect to lose 5 to 15 percent of their initial weight during treatment.
This fact was repeated in two separate sections of the consent form. After
signing the consent form, the women completed a second questionnaire on
their weight loss expectations.
Weight Loss Diet Expectations Study
Results
Patients' weight loss essentially remained unchanged, with patients expecting
to lose weight at a faster rate than is realistic. The only reduction
in weight loss expectations before and after counseling was seen after
52-weeks with patients predicting that they would lose 25 percent vs.
28 percent of their starting weight.
Weight Loss Diet Expectations Study
Conclusion
The weight loss study underscores patients continued desire to lose much
more weight than can be achieved by the best behavioral and weight loss
drugs available today. It is important for physicians to emphasize that
a 10 percent drop in body weight is a success. Practitioners should work
with patients to readjust expectations with a focus on health to avoid
what patients label as another failed weight loss attempt. There is clear
clinical evidence that a modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent can improve
risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, including high blood pressure,
and high cholesterol. People whose excess weight puts their health at
risk should seek help from their physician to set realistic weight loss
goals that will reduce their future health risks.
Source: 2000 Press Release: North American
Association For The Study Of Obesity
|
com