The weight loss maintenance randomized controlled trial
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Behavioural weight loss interventions have been shown to achieve only short-term success. The aim of this 2-phase trial was to compare 2 weight loss maintenance interventions with a self-directed control group. To this end, a total of 1,032 overweight or obese adults with hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or both, who had lost at least 4 kg during a 6-month weight loss program (phase 1), were randomized to one of the following groups (phase 2) for 30 months: monthly personal contact, unlimited access to an interactive technology-based intervention, or self-directed control. The primary outcome parameter was changes in weight from randomization. During the initial phase 1, mean weight decreased by 8.5 kg, which was followed by some weight regain after randomization. In the personal-contact group, study participants regained less weight than in the self-directed group (mean difference -1.5 kg, P=0.001). At 30 months, weight regain was statistically similar in the interactive technology-based group and self-directed group (mean difference -0.3 kg, P=0.51) whereas there was a significant difference between the personal-contact and the interactive technology-based groups (mean difference of -1.2 kg, P=0.008). However, weight regain was lower in the interactive technology-based group vs the self-directed group at 18 months (mean difference, -1.1 kg, P=0.003) as well as at 24 months (mean difference of -0.9 kg, P=0.04). Overall, 71% of study participants maintained a weight below entry weight. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that monthly brief personal contact provided modest benefit in sustaining weight loss, whereas an interactive technology-based intervention provided early but transient benefit.
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