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 .
Size acceptance and intuitive eating improve health for obese, female chronic dieters.
OBJECTIVE Examine a model that encourages health at every size as opposed to weight loss . The health at every size concept supports homeostatic regulation and eating intuitively ( ie , in response to internal cues of hunger , satiety , and appetite ) . DESIGN Six-month , r and omized clinical trial ; 2-year follow-up . SUBJECTS White , obese , female chronic dieters , aged 30 to 45 years ( N=78 ) . SETTING Free-living , general community . INTERVENTIONS Six months of weekly group intervention ( health at every size program or diet program ) , followed by 6 months of monthly aftercare group support . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anthropometry ( weight , body mass index ) , metabolic fitness ( blood pressure , blood lipids ) , energy expenditure , eating behavior ( restraint , eating disorder pathology ) , and psychology ( self-esteem , depression , body image ) . Attrition , attendance , and participant evaluations of treatment helpfulness were also monitored . STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED Analysis of variance . RESULTS Cognitive restraint decreased in the health at every size group and increased in the diet group , indicating that both groups implemented their programs . Attrition ( 6 months ) was high in the diet group ( 41 % ) , compared with 8 % in the health at every size group . Fifty percent of both groups returned for 2-year evaluation . Health at every size group members maintained weight , improved in all outcome variables , and sustained improvements . Diet group participants lost weight and showed initial improvement in many variables at 1 year ; weight was regained and little improvement was sustained . CONCLUSIONS The health at every size approach enabled participants to maintain long-term behavior change ; the diet approach did not . Encouraging size acceptance , reduction in dieting behavior , and heightened awareness and response to body signals result ed in improved health risk indicators for obese women
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 .