Study shows rapid weight loss best

A study, conducted by the University of Florida, comparing weight loss results of 262 obese women found that women who lost weight at a greater rate per week had lost more weight by the end of the study and maintained the weight loss longer.

The study was in a format designed to teach and encourage healthy lifestyle choices to the study group. Healthy dietary habits and moderate exercise was encouraged. A yearlong follow up and support program was included as part of the study.

The women, after one-month weight loss measurements, divided into three groups separated by weight loss per week. Groups established for the study were fast, moderate and slow weight loss groups. Women who lost 1.5 lb per week or more were the most successful in total weight loss and in maintaining that loss during the follow up study.
Lisa Nacker authored the study published on line in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. In an interview Nacker stated, “It shows if you get off to a quick start…it pays of more in the long run than making smaller behavioral changes.”
Elaborating on this point Nacker said, “What we concluded in this study is that results show that perhaps losing at a greater rate is more reinforcing in terms of long term behavior”.

Nacker’s report stated that women in the fast loss group had a success rate five times greater than the slow group in maintaining a 10% loss after 18 months. The moderate weight loss group had a three times greater success rate.