Personal Contact Helps Maintain W...(st under 19 pounds the study authors sai...),Health

During the second phase, study volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups for maintenance -- the "personal contact" group, the "interactive technology" group, and the "self-directed" group. The personal contact group was contacted 12 times each year by a counselor -- three times in person and nine times by phone. The interactive technology group had unlimited access to a special weight-loss Web site designed by the researchers. The "self-directed" group was urged to maintain their weight loss but received no further intervention.

After 30 months, the personal contact group had regained an average of 8.8 pounds less than the self-directed group. The difference between the personal contact group and the interactive technology group was 3.3 pounds.

"I think that the tools we used in the weight loss phase and then tried to reinforce in the maintenance phase may have been easier to reinforce in an in-person setting," Svetkey said. "There's something about human contact that seems to make a big difference."

Dr. Kelly Machesky is medical director of the St. John Weight Loss Institute in Michigan. She said, "I believe the crux of [the personal contact group's success] has to do with someone else taking an interest in seeing the outcome."

Overall, 71 percent of the study volunteers maintained at least some weight loss over 30 months.

"Change is possible. Truly, you can make a difference with simply reducing caloric intake and increasing energy expenditure," said Machesky, who added that this study's finding suggests that surrounding yourself with people who are supportive could also be helpful.

More information

The Weight-control Information Network has more on weight loss for life.

SOURCES: Laura Svetkey, M.D
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