Am J Psychiatry 1985; 142:47-52
Copyright © 1985 by American Psychiatric Association
Weight reduction at the work site: a promise partially fulfilled
KD Brownell, AJ Stunkard and PE McKeon
Three consecutive studies of weight reduction at the work site were
conducted with 172 female union members, who participated in 16-week
behavioral group programs. There was no significant difference in weight
loss over the three studies, but attrition decreased from 57.5% to 33.8%
and weight loss maintenance improved. Groups that met three to four times
weekly had less attrition than those which met once a week, but had no more
weight loss. These behavioral weight reduction programs were as effective
as self-help and commercial groups, and lay leaders produced results
equivalent to those produced by professional therapists at one-third the
cost.
