Weight Loss Help By Email - Study
Weight Loss Study Summary
Weekly e-mail weight loss counseling helped adults at risk for type 2
diabetes lose more weight in a year than similar adults who followed an
Internet weight loss program without e-counseling, researchers report.
Weight Loss Study Aim
To test whether e-mail counseling might be a viable alternative, researchers
compared the effects of e-counseling among 92 overweight or obese adults
with one or more other risk factors for type-2 diabetes, like a family
history of the disease.
Weight Loss Study Method
Half of the group participated in an Internet weight loss program in which
they were asked to reduce their calorie intake and increase their exercise.
Their Internet guidance included an online tutorial on weight loss, weekly
tips and links to weight loss resources and e-mail reminders to submit
their weight to the researchers each week. The other half of the group
participated in the same program but also corresponded via e-mail with
assigned weight loss counselors during the program, who provided weekly
feedback, recommendations and support.
Weight Loss Study Results
Individuals who received e-counseling lost 4.8 percent of their original
body weight after participating in the Internet program, almost double
the weight loss experienced by individuals who were not counseled. E-counseled
individuals also had smaller waistlines at the end of the weight loss
program, but there were no significant differences in blood sugar levels
between the two groups and no data on whether the weight loss in either
group reduced the number of diabetes cases.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
The weight loss observed in the behavioral e-counseling group at 12 months
is encouraging because weight losses of similar magnitude are known to
reduce risk for diabetes. The researchers say that it is still uncertain
whether e-counseling weight loss would have the same benefit for many
adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, including minorities and low-income
individuals, since most participants in the study were white, college-educated
and required to have computer access.
Source: Press Release, April, 2003. Health
Behavior News Service
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