Maintenance programmes after weight reduction — how useful are they?

Abstract

Maintenance programmes lasting one or two years or even longer are generally recommended to improve long-term outcome after weight reduction. They may not be practical for several reasons: it is not known whether they really improve long term outcome or only delay relapse; they may lessen patients' motivation to take full responsibility for their life-style changes; and they need extra resources. Some series on treatment of obesity and experience with successful maintainers suggest that satisfactory long-term outcome can also be achieved without long maintenance programmes. We believe that weight reduction programmes lasting 4–6 months can be developed to ensure better maintenance. The programmes should adopt a patient centred approach, support patients' full responsibility for life-style changes, and use principles and methods acceptable for most obese people.