Self-help group behavioural treatment for obesity. An evaluation of Weight Control Workshops

A study of a self-help weight control programme (Weight Control Workshops) in Sydney followed 168 women and four men from the beginning of the 12-week programme until six months after the end of the programme. The average subject was a 42-year-old woman who was moderately overweight with a starting weight of 74 kg and wished to lose 13 kg. Although 90% of subjects lost weight during the programme, weight losses were modest, with a mean loss of 4.3 kg. Weight loss was not well maintained, with 52% gaining weight in the follow-up period, to give a mean weight gain of 0.4 kg. The Weight Control Workshop programme represents a group treatment for obesity based on standard behaviour therapy, and appears to be as effective as similar programmes that have been reported in the literature.