CBT helps maintain weight after successful weight loss in women

Women with successful weight loss can maintain their weight with the help of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with corresponding continuation of reduced energy intake and doing more physical activities which may be beneficial in the long term, a recent study has shown.

The investigators randomized 113 female adults (aged 18–45 years; body mass index [BMI], 23–30 kg/m²), who had lost at least 10 percent of their body weight by undergoing a weight-loss programme, to either CBT or a control group for a further 24-week weight-maintenance period.

CBT, compared with control, resulted in improved weight-loss maintenance (mean difference, –2.2 kg, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –3.50 to –0.94; p=0.001), BMI (mean difference, –0.77 kg/m², 95 percent CI, –1.25 to –0.28; p=0.002) and waist circumference (mean difference, –2.08 cm, 95 percent CI, –3.31 to –0.844; p=0.001) at the end of the 24-week period intervention.

Estimated energy intake significantly decreased over time among women in the CBT group but increased among those in the control group (p<0.001). A significant group–time interaction was also noted for mean daily steps over the 24-week period with CBT showing a greater level (p<0.001). However, no significant between-group difference was observed in lipid profiles and carbohydrate metabolism.

“Weight regain after weight loss is a main challenge in obesity management,” the authors said. “CBT has been introduced as an option for achieving weight loss but not tested for weight maintenance.”