The formula for losing weight is to burn more calories than you consume daily. This is called creating a caloric deficit. To achieve this, exercise more and consume fewer calories. Adding regular exercise to a sedentary lifestyle and making healthier food choices, however, may prove difficult for some people. Support from a health professional, your family and support groups can help.
Weight Maintenance
After reaching your weight loss goals, support from a nurse is as effective as expensive personalized attention in order to avoid regaining weight from a dietitian and exercise specialist, according to a study from the Edgar National Center for Diabetes Research. Published in 2009 by the "Canadian Medical Association Journal," the study followed 200 female participants aged 25 to 70 for two years after they lost at least 5 percent of their body weight. Those in the Nurse Support Program were given a 5- to 10-minute weigh-in consultation with a nurse every two weeks for two years as well as a phone call every other week to discuss progress with the same nurse. Participants who successfully did not regain weight felt the support received in person and on the telephone from the nurses were the key to their success. The researchers concluded who provides the weight maintenance support may not be as important as how it is administered and the frequency of the support.
E-coach Support
E-coach support increases the efficacy of Internet weight loss interventions, but the type of support is not as important as participation, according to a study conducted by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and published in the April 2011 issue of the medical journal "Annals of Behavioral Medicine." The study included 104 overweight participants who received nondirective, directive or minimal support over 12 weeks. Directive support is when the E-coach leads the session with the client. In a non-directive support session, the E-coach lets the client lead the session. The female participants had greater weight loss and waist circumference reduction with directive E-coaching. Participants experienced weight loss with all types of E-coaching.
Family and Friends
Losing weight in a support group of your family and friends does not affect your amount of weight loss, according to a study conducted by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and reported in the October 2009 issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine." The two year trial followed 63 participants who tried to lose weight alone and 130 participants who joined the program with one or two friends or family members. Researchers found friends and family to have a positive effect on the weight loss of participants only when friends and family participated fully and were successful with weight loss themselves.
Teens
Overweight teens need the positive support from family members in order to lose weight while maintaining a positive self image during this sensitive time of life. Instead of using words such as fat and thin, opt for the phrase "healthy weight," advises MayoClinic.com. Talk to your health professional about what a healthy weight in relation to your teen's height and weight to avoid setting unrealistic or inadequate weight loss goals. Support your teen's weight loss by encouraging her to find a physical activity she enjoys like swimming, dancing or riding a bicycle.
References
- EurekAlert; Inexpensive Face to Face Weight Loss Support Programs Effective; May 2009
- "Annals of Behavioral Medicine"; Directive and Nondirective E-Coach Support for Weight Loss in Overweight Adults; J.M. Gabriele et al.; April 2011
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Trial of Family and Friend Support for Weight Loss in African American Adults; S.K. Kumanyika et al.; October 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Teen Weight Loss: Healthy Habits Count; November 2009
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; How Much Physical Activity do Adults Need?
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