Providing timely information on low-calorie and
reduced-fat foods and beverages, weight manage-
ment, physical activity and healthy eating.
Calorie Control Commentary (ISSN 1049-1791)
is published by the Calorie Control Council, an
international non-profit association of manufac-
turers of low-calorie and reduced-fat foods and
beverages. Commentary is written by Council
staff, which includes specialists in nutrition, food
science and food safety.
© 2002 by the
Calorie Control Council
5775 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road,
Building G, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30342.
Phone:(404) 252-3663.
E-mail: ccc@kellencompany.com.
Internet: www.caloriecontrol.org.
Permission to reprint from Calorie Control
Commentary in whole or in part is granted provided
customary credit is given.
Calorie Control
C O M M E N T A R Y
the Consumer Reports' questionnaire
(all had a BMI greater than or equal to
27), 4,000 lost an average of 37 pounds
and were able to keep it off for five years
or more. Another 8,000 were able to lose
at least 10 percent of their body weight
and keep it off for a year or more.
Successful Losers How They Keep the
Weight Off
In addition to the Consumer Reports'
data, researchers also look to the
National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), a group of people who have
lost at least 30 pounds and maintained that weight loss for at least one
year. Many of the "successful losers" in the NWCR share several "secrets"
to maintaining their weight loss. Those secrets include:
n
Consuming a low-fat diet
n
Eating breakfast
n
Participating in high levels of physical activity (burning
approximately 400 calories per day)
n
Practicing self-monitoring (such as weighing themselves daily)
The survey from Consumer Reports showed
similar findings. Successful losers cut portion
sizes, cut back on fat and avoided sweets. And,
while other consumers who participated in the
survey also practiced these behaviors, it was
the "successful losers" who practiced them
most often. In fact, over half of the "successful
losers" said they used those strategies on a
daily basis. Another big reason for success
exercise. Eighty percent of the successful
losers exercised three or more times a week
and listed it as their number one strategy for
keeping weight gain at bay. James Hill, Ph.D.,
director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado
in Denver, and developer of the NWCR, said of the Consumer Reports
survey, "This study says that people are succeeding at weight loss by con-
scious effort. It can be done, but it's not easy. Our challenge is take what
we've learned from these people and use it to help others be successful."
References:
"Light Products Usage and Weight Control Habits Survey," Calorie Control Council, 2000.
Percentage of United States Adults Who Use Specific Weight Control Practices by Body Mass
Index; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2000); www.cdc.gov.
"Obesity, A Call to Action," University of Georgia's Continuing Education Center, September 2002
Conference, Atlanta, GA
"The Truth About Dieting," Consumer Reports, June 2002
Losing Weight is Just Half the Battle
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