Objective: Although behavioral weight-loss interventions produce short-term weight loss, long-term maintenance remains elusive. This randomized trial examined whether learning a novel set of "stability skills" before losing weight improved long-term weight management. Stability skills were designed to optimize individuals' current…

Objective: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best established treatment for binge-eating disorder (BED) but does not produce weight loss. The efficacy of behavioral weight loss (BWL) in obese patients with BED is uncertain. This study compared CBT, BWL, and a sequential approach in which CBT is delivered first, followed by BWL (CBT + BWL).…

Objective: To compare and contrast 5 sets of expert recommendations about the treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity. Method: We reviewed 5 sets of recent expert recommendations: 2007 health care organizations' four stage model, 2007 Canadian clinical practice guidelines, 2008 Endocrine Society recommendations, 2009 seven step model, and…

Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore heterogeneity and differential treatment outcome among a sample of patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Method: A latent class analysis was conducted with 205 treatment-seeking, overweight or obese individuals with BED randomized to interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), behavioral weight loss…

Implemented a behavioral treatment program for obesity using an interactive microcomputer system small enough to be carried by subjects. Subjects receiving the computer-assisted treatment lost approximately 2.5 times as much weight as controls and their rate of weight loss equaled that for more elaborate behavioral treatments. (MCF)

Subjects (N=414) averaging 51 pounds overweight were followed by telephone questionnaire for the first 12 weeks of their Weight Watchers participation. Dropouts (N=101) reported lower self-efficacy at the beginning of their memberships and were less likely to feel successful in weight control although their weight loss did not differ…

Investigated two different combinations of behavior therapy and pharmacotherapy in treating overweight women (N=91). Results showed that anorectic medication introduced halfway into the program was more effective than medication introduced initially; however, both methods of pharmacotherapy were dependent on continuation of behavioral therapy for…

Investigated whether behavior modification would improve short- and long-term results of weight control programs for obese patients (N=53) with Type II diabetes. The behavior modification group lost more weight than the nutrition education or standard-care condition during the 16-week treatment, but at 16-month follow-up, weight loss differences…

Evaluated the relationship between mood and weight loss for 76 patients participating in two consecutive behavioral treatment programs. Weight losses averaged 12.2 pounds (5.55 kg) during the 10-week program. Positive changes in mood were reported during this interval, and these changes appeared to be related to changes in weight. (Author/RC)

Results from 5-year outcome of family-based behavioral treatment of obesity for 6- to 12-year olds in 162 families across 4 treatment outcome studies suggest that treatments using conjoint targeting and reinforcement of child and parent behavior or reciprocal targeting and reinforcement of children and parents are associated with best child…

The authors examined rapid response in 75 overweight patients with binge eating disorder (BED) who participated in a randomized clinical trial of guided self-help treatments (cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBTgsh] and behavioral weight loss [BWLgsh]). Rapid response, defined as a 65% or greater reduction in binge eating by the 4th treatment week,…

Provided a five-year follow-up of obese children who participated in a family-based behavioral weight control program targeting and reinforcing children and parents for weight loss. Children in the parent-plus-child group showed significantly greater weight reductions after five years than did children in control groups. (Author/ABB)

Examines whether therapist contact reinforces weight loss behaviors. Overweight clients (N=45) were assigned to conditions in which therapist contact was or was not contingent on weight loss. Weight loss was not affected by contingency, but clients who were seen contingent on not losing weight had the poorest results overall. (JAC)

Evaluated effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a behavioral self-help manual for weight reduction through the use of 126 community subjects. Results at posttreatment and three-, six-, and sixteen-month follow-ups supported the behavioral manual's effectiveness in producing modest weight loss. (Author)

Examined attrition and weight loss in 235 female obese binge eaters, episodic overeaters, and nonbingers in 26-week program of behavior modification/very low calorie diet. Found no significant differences among conditions in number of program completers. Episodic overeaters were more likely than others to drop out during last seven weeks of…