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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

Are standard behavioral weight loss programs effective for young adults?

J Gokee-LaRose¹, A A Gorin, H A Raynor

¹Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, Brown Medical School and The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA. Jessica_Gokee_LaRose@brown.edu

International Journal of Obesity (2005)

|September 30, 2009

Summary

Young adults in behavioral weight loss programs show lower attendance and retention, achieving less weight loss than older adults. Standard programs may not meet young adults' weight control needs, requiring tailored interventions.

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Area of Science:

Obesity research
Behavioral medicine
Young adult health

Background:

Behavioral weight loss (BWL) programs are common for obesity management.
Effectiveness of BWL programs may vary across age groups.
Young adults (18-35 years) may have unique needs in weight management interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare enrollment, attendance, retention, and weight loss in young adults versus older adults in BWL programs.
To identify potential disparities in BWL program outcomes for young adults.
To inform the development of more effective weight management strategies for young adults.

Main Methods:

Pooled data from three NIH-funded BWL trials (N=298).
Young adults defined as 18-35 years old.
Comparison of session attendance, 6-month retention, weight loss, and physical activity between young and older adults.

Main Results:

Young adults (7% of sample) had significantly lower session attendance (52% vs 74%) and retention (67% vs 95%) compared to older adults.
Young adults achieved significantly less weight loss (-4.3 kg vs -7.7 kg) and were less likely to achieve >=5% weight loss (38% vs 62%).
Weight loss differences were not significant after controlling for session attendance; physical activity changes approached significance (P=0.07).

Conclusions:

Standard BWL programs appear insufficient for the weight control needs of young adults.
Urgent research is needed to improve recruitment and retention strategies for young adults in weight management programs.
Tailored interventions may be necessary to enhance the effectiveness of BWL programs for this demographic.