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Weight loss pep talks by phone can work

Posted on: Monday, 31 October 2005, 13:34 CST

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Having trouble sticking to your diet and exercise program? Results of a new study suggest that telephone-based weight-loss counseling can help people shed pounds just as well as face-to-face counseling sessions. It's also more convenient and less expensive.

Early results from a 26-week study show that overweight adults randomly assigned to weight-loss counseling by telephone lost almost as much weight as those receiving weight-loss services by going to meetings.

Subjects in the phone-based program lost an average of 23 pounds over 12 weeks and 28 pounds over 26 weeks, while those attending the clinic-based program lost 28 pounds in 12 weeks and no more by 26 weeks.

These results show "promise for weight loss interventions delivered entirely over the phone as a viable alternative to the usual clinic method," study leader Joe Donnelly, director of the center for physical activity and weight management at the University of Kansas said in a statement.

According to Donnelly, for those looking to shed pounds, there are many potential advantages to phone-based weight-loss programs - the programs cost less than traditional programs and there is less conflict with work and family commitments. "Individuals also don't incur the time and expense of getting to and from the clinic," he said.

For those providing the weight-loss services, "a phone-based program allows them to reduce their overhead expenses such as rent and utilities, which allows them to lower the cost of their services. Essentially the provider and participant can be located anywhere."

Source: REUTERS

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