Alan Peterson, Ph.D., is co-author of a study showing that an Internet-based weight-management program is effective for weight loss.
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Contact: Will Sansom, (210) 567-2579

SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 31, 2008) — A newly published research study demonstrates that a weight-management program delivered over the Internet is effective for weight loss and preventing weight gain.

Six institutions collaborate on study
The report, made available Jan. 15 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is by research collaborators from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center at Memphis, Eli Lilly and Co., and the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Small amount of weight accumulated over time
“Most overweight Americans become overweight or obese as a result of gradual weight gain of 1-2 pounds per year over many years,” said study co-author Alan Peterson, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and an investigator with the Health Science Center Department of Psychiatry’s Behavioral Wellness (Be Well) Center for Clinical Trials. “We now believe it is essential to evaluate these individuals’ progress regularly and intervene with an easy-to-implement program that reaches individuals at their computers.”

The research study evaluated two groups for weight loss and weight-gain prevention. The 446 research participants (222 overweight men and 224 overweight women) were randomly assigned to receive either six months of behavioral Internet treatment or usual care. Changes in body weight, body mass index, percent body fat and waist circumference were measured.

Weight loss, significant changes in BMI and waist circumference evident
After six months, those who completed the Internet-based program lost 1.3 kilograms (2.86 pounds). Meanwhile, those assigned to usual care gained 0.6 kilograms (1.32 pounds). Behavioral Internet treatment recipients also showed statistically significant changes in body mass index and waist circumference.

“Internet-based weight management interventions result in small amounts of weight loss, prevent weight gain and have potential for widespread dissemination as a population health approach,” the authors concluded.

Citation: Weight Management Using the Internet: A Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 34, Issue 2, Pages 119-126 C. HUNTER.

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