According to the American College of Sports Medicine, 55 percent of Americans are overweight. A significant amount of money and time is spent searching for programs, strategies and, of course, magic pills that will result in weight loss. Weight loss interventions are based on creating a behavioral, or lifestyle, change, which is difficult. While there are many different programs, diets and suggestions for losing weight, they are all based on the same concept: When the amount of calories consumed is less than the amount of calories burned, body fat and body weight is lost. While the theory behind weight loss is physiological, many of the problems are emotional. Some programs provide personal contact and emotional support, other programs are self-directed without support. A study by the Weight Loss Maintenance Collaboration Research Group cited no difference in weight loss success when comparing the two.
Self-Directed Interventions
With or without enough of information, some people direct their own weight loss intervention. A self-directed program can range from simply skipping meals, to calculating and measuring the amount of food you eat and totaling the amount of calories you have burned. Ideally, individuals attempting their own intervention combine healthy eating and increased physical activity. This program can be successful when the individual is self-motivated and not in need of emotional support.
Partial-Support Interventions
This type of intervention consists of groups that meet regularly to provide emotional support. There is no other intervention supplied but the support. This type of intervention works for people who know what they need to do but need help sticking to it. This type of program is part self-directed, part group participation.
Full-Support Interventions
This type of intervention provides full support to participants for both the physiological and emotional aspects of weight loss. Programs consist of nutritional information, food plans and counseling for individuals who may not have a complete understanding of what healthy eating is. Physical activity is also encouraged but not included in the program. There are many commercial programs available ranging from low-cost to expensive. Some programs offer full food plans for purchase. This type of program is for people who need complete support.
Medical, Clinical and Doctor-Supervised Interventions
A medical intervention is typically set in a health care facility. Nutrition education, medical care and counseling are provided. In some cases, prescription drugs or even surgery is part of the program. This type of program is beneficial for severely overweight individuals or people with health-related problems. In most cases weight loss may decrease or diminish health-related problems.
Online Interventions
There is a tremendous amount of information available on the internet. Online programs range from self-directed to full support and counseling. Online programs can offer all of the services that full-support programs offer without person-to-person contact. Those seeking to remaining anonymous but in need of group support may benefit.
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