Structured Weight Loss Programs

The key elements of Structured Weight Loss Programs revolve around the concept of “support”. It is a program that has a role in teaching people about good and proper nutrition and the importance of being physically active.

For many people, the underlying principle on all Structured Weight Loss Programs is the truth that “support” (regardless of whether from an individual or from a group) is an effective means in helping them achieve and maintain weight loss.

Supporting the mind

It has been proven by various studies that the psychological complex that stems out from the support of Structured Weight Loss Programs is more than enough to battle the bulge. Dieters are more likely to lose pounds and keep them off when they get this very crucial support. In fact, the various studies and researches say that structured weight-loss programs not only help people lose more weight but also help maintain that new ideal weight.

Such as for instance, in a research by renowned Stanley Heshka, PhD, this Structured Weight Loss Program was favored over another form of dieting. In this study, there was a comparison of dieters randomly assigned to either a self-help regimen or to a structured commercial weight-loss program which is Weight Watchers. The study appeared in the The Journal of the American Medical Association, April 9 issue.

After the first year of the study, this research found out that the self-help participants maintained only about three pounds, while the Weight Watchers group maintained a remarkable 9 to 11 pounds. After two years of the same study, the self-helpers' weight sadly went back to nearly normal, while the Weight Watchers group had gained a little weight but had still kept a loss of about six pounds. It was therefore concluded that the structure and support provided by Weight Watchers may be important factors to losing and maintaining weight.

Supporting the study

Another study by Anderson JW, Konz EC, Frederich RC, and Wood CL have the same findings. This is a study of the VA Medical Center, Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky Health Management Resources Weight Management Program, Lexington, KY, USA. The objective of the study was to examine the long-term weight-loss maintenance of individuals completing a structured weight-loss program only to find out that indeed, it does.

Some of the leading commercial and clinical weight-loss programs would include Weight Watchers, TOPS, Jennie Craig, Slim for Life, Food Nutrition Australia,
Lite ‘n Easy, and Betalife.