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Are standard behavioral weight loss programs effective for young adults?
- Source :
- International Journal of Obesity; Dec2009, Vol. 33 Issue 12, p1374-1380, 7p, 3 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- WEIGHT loss
YOUNG adults
ATTENDANCE
RESEARCH
BODY weight
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03070565
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Obesity
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 46723506
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.185