National Weight Control Registry
 

We have lots of discussions on this forum on weight loss and exercise. Even though we all know that weight loss is achieved through cutting calories, the difficulty is in accomplishing this task and in regulating our calorie intake for life. Because obesity is such a big problem for us and for many Americans (and others) I think it is important to gather data and see what can be learned. The National Weight Control Registry is one place where data on weight loss is gathered. The goal is to see what can be learned from people who are successful at keeping off weight. People who have kept off at least 30 pounds for at least a year can participate. I started participating some months ago.

So, I encourage the eligible to participate. I especially encourage men to participate as far fewer men than women are providing data.


http://www.nwcr.ws/
http://www.nwcronline.com/join.aspx


Participants who keep weight off differ on many factors. For example, whether they participated in a group program like Weight Watchers or did it on their own, whether they lost weight quickly or took a long time. Current data shows: Most report continuing to maintain a low calorie, low fat diet and doing high levels of activity.

78% eat breakfast every day.
75% weigh themselves at least once a week.
62% watch less than 10 hours of TV per week.
90% exercise, on average, about 1 hour per day. http://nwcr.ws/Research/default.htm

Other data shows that 75% of participants had at least one overweight parent. At one year followup close to 60% kept their weight off, 35% gained, and the rest lost more. Depression and binge eating correlated with weight gain. Those who kept off the weight tended to be consistent in their eating habits, eating about the same amount each day. Importantly, successful participants did not let small weight gains get away from them, they took corrective action.

Some assumptions by researchers are questionable. For example, I would not rely on either the participants' estimates of caloric intact nor would I rely on researchers' assumptions that participants are underestimating simply because most people underestimate. The participants are not "most people."

Of course, we need to keep in mind correlation is not necessarily causation. But it is data.

I eat a protein heavy breakfast, weigh myself twice a week, exercise 1 hour per day - 5 days per week, and don't eat snacks before bed. I also traded beer for scotch. I think the last one had the most impact.

Sign up for the registry and give them your story. :)

in more ways than one!;)