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Self Help vs Commercial Programs
JAMA's current theme issue discusses recent research into obesity. Studies examine various aspects of some new findings. A 2 year randomized trial comparing weight loss and health benefits of brief counseling and self-help weight loss program against an ongoing commercial program for overweight and obese adults, shows that both self help and commercial programs work well. The commercial group, however, did better after 1 year and continued to maintain the weight loss after two years.
JAMA. 2003;289:1739
Too much TV
In another study, researchers from Harvard studied what we all know intuitively... that watching too much TV can result in weight gain. A study was designed to evaluate the impact of sedentary behaviors, especially television watching. They found an association with significantly elevated risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes during 6 years of follow-up. Light activities, such as standing or walking around at home, and brisk walking were associated with a significantly lower risk.
JAMA. 2003;289:1739.
Pediatric Obesity
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine conducted a 6-month randomized trial to compare a comprehensive behavioral weight control program plus sibutramine, an anorexiant medication, with behavior therapy alone for the treatment of obese adolescents. Results suggested that weight loss and reduction of BMI were significantly greater in the combination of behavior therapy plus sibutramine.
JAMA. 2003;289:1851-1853
A little change can go a long way
A randomized single-blind trial was conducted by researchers from Naples, Italy.
to determine if an organized program of changes in lifestyle designed to obtain a sustained reduction of body weight has any effect on markers of systemic vascular inflammation and insulin resistance. Results suggested that a low-energy Mediterranean-style diet and increased physical activity were positively associated with a reduction in markers of vascular inflammation and insulin resistance.
JAMA. 2003;289:1739
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