Winners revisited: an 18-month follow-up of our successful weight losers

In Addictive Behaviors, Volume 8, Number 3, the authors described 54 men and women who were defined as successful weight losers by stringent criteria. Eighteen months later, 42 subjects were recontacted. Body weights have remained very stable (+/- 3.5 lb., on the average) through a variety of life stresses. Subjects' perceptions of reasons for their success are given. Authors conclude that the original criteria for defining success are a useful standard for future research.