Center or home - weight loss is still possible

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Women following a diet and exercise program at home did as well as those who followed a similar regime under supervised conditions.
When it comes to losing weight, motivation, support and goal-setting are vital. But how important is location? Some regimes involve people having to go to a gym or health center. But, on the other hand, you can follow a home video or make your own food diary. Is supervision really necessary?

A team at the University of Central Florida has compared the outcomes in center and home based weight loss plans. The programs had similar elements - exercise 45 minutes a day three days a week, a food diary, counseling - face-to-face or by phone - and behavior modification around food.

The program is being applied to a group of overweight post-menopausal women. So far it looks as if both programs are equally effective. This is good news for women who can't - or don't want to - participate in a center-based weight loss program. They can exercise by walking in the neighborhood, make their own food diaries online or manually, and call people for support and chat when they want to. Wanting to lose the pounds makes the difference - not where you go to do it!

Source
University of Central Florida 4th February 2005