KEY POINTS:
A New Zealand researcher has devised an antidote for the over-indulgence of Christmas that will be weighing heavily on many tummies today.
In a study of 200 middle-aged women, Otago University nutritionist Dr Kelly Dale found that her no-frills programme for keeping off the kilos was as effective
as one that cost four times as much.
Now, the university is discussing the results with primary health organisations, hoping they will offer the cheaper scheme to people who have lost weight and want to keep it off.
Obese or overweight people can make a big reduction in health risks by losing modest amounts of weight.
An American study found that a 100kg person who lost 5kg over two to three years reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 58 per cent.
But little research has been done on keeping weight off once it has been lost.
Dr Dale was searching for a way to beat the yo-yo pattern of weight loss and gain that dogs many people.
About three-quarters of those who lose weight regain it - and often some extra - within five years.
In the two-year study, the women, who had already lost at least 5 per cent of their body-weight, were assigned to one of two kinds of diet.
Half of each diet group was put into one of two types of support group.
The "expert-support programme" gave participants personal consultations with a nutritionist and an exercise trainer, and use of a gym solely for the use of the participants.
They were encouraged to use the gym twice a week, but could go more frequently. This programme cost $3000 a person.
The no-frills, $750 support programme involved visiting a nurse fortnightly to be weighed and being phoned by her in the alternate weeks. Support group meetings were also offered, but only one-third of those in the study took part.
The two diets proved equally effective, producing weight losses averaging 2kg to 3kg.
Women on the expert support programme lost 2.5kg on average, and those on the nurse programme lost 3.6kg. The difference was not considered statistically significant.
"The support programme was really the key result," Dr Dale said. "It doesn't matter what individuals do, as long as they get support."
Both groups reduced their energy consumption and improved their fitness.
The nurse programme was devised after earlier research in which people lost weight during the study, but subsequently went "off track".
Many had said they needed someone "to keep an eye on them" though a fortnightly check on the scales.
* FAT BUSTER
The two-year study recruited 200 middle-aged women who had already lost at least 5 per cent of their body weight.
THEY WERE PUT ON EITHER
A high-fibre, high-carbohydrate, relatively low-fat diet with lots of wholegrains, legumes, fruit and vegetables, or
A lower-carb diet with more lean protein, nuts and olive oil, plus plenty of fruit and vegetables.
TWO SUPPORT PROGRAMMES
Half of each diet group were put on an intensive support programme and lost 2.5kg on average.
The rest were put on a simple support programme and lost 3.6kg on average.