Journal Article

Are standard behavioral weight loss programs effective for young adults

Raynor, H.A, Jeffery, R.W, Gokee-LaRose, J, Laska, M.N, Levy, R.L, Gorin, A.A, Wing, R.R

2009

Overview

Objective: To compare the enrollment, attendance, retention and weight losses of young adults in behavioral weight loss (BWL) programs with older participants in the same trials. Methods: Data were pooled from three NIH-funded adult BWL trials from two clinical centers in different regions of the country (total N=298); young adults were defined as those aged 18–35 years. Both young adults and adults were compared on session attendance, retention at the 6-month assessment, weight loss and physical activity at 6 months. Results: Young adults represented 7% of the sample, attended significantly fewer sessions than did adults (52 vs 74%, respectively; P<0.001) and were less likely to be retained for the 6-month assessment (67 vs 95%, respectively; P<0.05). Controlling for demographic variables, study and baseline weight, the mean weight losses achieved were significantly less for young adults compared with adults (-4.3 kg (6.3) vs -7.7 kg (7.0), respectively; P<0.05); fewer young adults achieved 5% weight loss at 6 months compared with older participants (8/21 (38%) vs 171/277 (62%); P<0.05). After controlling for session attendance, differences in the mean weight loss were not significant (P=0.81). Controlling for baseline values, study and demographics, changes in total physical activity over the initial 6 months of treatment were less for young adults compared with adults, but these differences only approached statistical significance (P=0.07). Conclusion: These data indicate that standard programs do not meet the weight control needs of young adults. Research is urgently required to improve recruitment and retention efforts with this high-risk group.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Age Factors / behavior change / Biological and medical sciences / compliance / eating habits / Epidemiology / Exercise Therapy / Exercise Therapy - methods / Female / Focus Groups / Health aspects / Health Behavior / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Humans / Internal Medicine / Male / Medical sciences / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Metabolic Diseases / Methods / Minnesota / Minnesota - epidemiology / Motor Activity / Obesity / Obesity - epidemiology / Obesity - psychology / Obesity - therapy / original-article / Patient Compliance / Patient Compliance - psychology / physical activity / Physiological aspects / physiology / Prevention / Program Evaluation / psychology / Public Health / Retention / Rhode Island / Rhode Island - epidemiology / Risk factors / therapy / Walking / Walking - physiology / Walking - psychology / weight control programs / Weight Loss / Young Adult / Young adults