One hundred two obese subjects were evaluated 2-3 years following treatment in a combined behavior therapy and very low calorie diet (VLCD) program. Average weight loss after VLCD was 27.2 kg; average weight loss at follow-up was 11.3 kg. Subjects who reported high levels of exercise were more successful in maintaining weight loss (17.5 kg at follow-up) than were those who exercised only moderately (9.3 kg), or not at all (5.6 kg). Enrolling in a weight loss maintenance program also minimized weight regain. Subjects who participated in maintenance for more than 8 months sustained more average weight loss at follow-up (19.1 kg) than did subjects who participated for 8 months or less (10.6 kg), or subjects who did not participate in maintenance (6.6 kg).
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Hartman et al. (1993) studied this question.
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