A randomized clinical trial of a weight loss maintenance intervention in a primary care population

In-person weight loss maintenance visits have been shown to reduce weight regain after initial weight loss. This study examined, in a primary care population, whether in-person visits plus portion-controlled meals were more effective in reducing 12-month weight regain than mailed materials plus portion controlled meals.

Study participants (n = 106) received 6 months of intensive behavioral treatment. Participants who completed this phase (n = 84) were then randomized to continue monthly in-person visits for weight loss maintenance as well as telephone calls between visits ("intensified maintenance") or to receive materials by mail ("standard maintenance"). All participants had access to subsidized portion-controlled foods during the 6-month run-in and the 12 months of maintenance. The primary outcome was weight change during the 12 months after randomization.

During months 0-12 after randomization, individuals assigned to standard maintenance regained 5.3% ± 0.8% of body weight, while those assigned to intensified maintenance regained 1.6% ± 1.2% of body weight. The difference between groups (3.7% ± 1.4%) was statistically significant (P = 0.01).

In a primary care population, continued in-person visits during the weight loss maintenance phase led to greater weight loss than contact by mail.