RESULTS Non-diet interventions result ed in statistically significant improvements in disordered eating patterns , self-esteem , and depression .
OBJECTIVE To determine the overall effect of non-diet , weight-neutral interventions on factors such as weight , biochemical measures , food and activity behavior , body image , and mental health .
Evaluation of a “Nondieting” Stress Reduction Program for Overweight Women: A Randomized Trial
Purpose . Determine if a “ nondieting ” intervention focused on intensive training in eliciting the relaxation response enhances health outcomes compared with nondieting interventions without such training . Design . R and omized trial with follow-up at 10 weeks , 4 months , and 12 months . Setting . General community . Subjects . Total of 225 overweight and obese women with at least one other cardiovascular risk factor . Interventions . Three 10-week nondieting interventions : a group program ( P1 ) focused on intensive training in techniques for eliciting the relaxation response ( n = 60 ) , a group program ( P2 ) focused on healthy eating and physical activity ( n = 61 ) , and a self-guided , mail-delivered version of P2 ( P3 ; n = 101 ) . Measures . The Revised Symptom Checklist measured psychological distress , the Medical Symptoms Checklist measured the experience of medical symptoms , and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile measured a range of lifestyle behaviors . Self-efficacy for low-fat eating , intuitive eating , and body mass index were also assessed . Analysis . An intention-to-treat analysis was used . Results . At 12 months , P1 produced statistically greater improvements in stress management behaviors and medical symptom discomfort and was the only program to significantly improve self-efficacy for low-fat eating . In P1 , the effect sizes for reductions in depression ( 0.75 ) and interpersonal sensitivity ( 0.85 ) were large . At 12 months , mean weight was unchanged . Conclusion . Inclusion of intensive relaxation response training in a nondieting program for overweight women enhanced stress management and medical symptoms outcomes but not weight outcomes
RESULTS Non-diet interventions result ed in statistically significant improvements in disordered eating patterns , self-esteem , and depression .
OBJECTIVE To determine the overall effect of non-diet , weight-neutral interventions on factors such as weight , biochemical measures , food and activity behavior , body image , and mental health .