Will you lose more pounds at a bigger diet center?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Weight loss loves company, hints new research.

For every additional 10 people signed up at a clinical center for a weight loss trial, the average person loses half a percent more weight, the study found.

Dr. Arne Astrup of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and his colleagues delved into a database of 22 weight-loss centers across five countries, gathered in a previous large clinical trial.

Each center served between 4 and 85 men and women, and all of the more than 600 total participants were instructed to follow a nutritionally balanced diet of 800 to 1,000 calories a day. (Typical recommendations for non-dieters range from 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day, depending on gender, age, and level of activity.)

The average participant started the trial weighing 242 pounds, and lost 24 pounds (10 percent of their body weight) after 2 months on the low-calorie diet. Average weight loss among the centers ranged from 6 percent to 12 percent.

Taking into account age, initial body mass index (a measure of weight in relation to height) and sex, the researchers found that 10 more participants at a center translated into a modest half a percent climb in weight loss for the average person at that center. An average 200-pound woman, for example, would have dropped one extra pound over those 2 months.

The idea to investigate such a link came to the team of Danish and Belgian researchers after they noticed the relative performance of weight loss, or bariatric, surgeons. Those who have more experience, they write in the journal Obesity, tend to provide safer and more effective treatments.

Weight loss center size may reflect quality of care in a similar way, Astrup told Reuters Health by email. He noted that investigators, study coordinators and dieticians working at weight loss centers serving large numbers of participants would tend to be more experienced than those at smaller centers.While he notes that the study is "the first of its kind," Pedro Teixeira of the Technical University of Lisbon, in Portugal, is concerned that 2 months is too short to determine a diet's effectiveness.

Teixeira, who was not involved in the study, also suggests that other factors left unaccounted for could explain some of the differences seen across centers. In separate studies, he has identified a set of weight loss predictors, including self-motivation and realistic expectations.

The researchers, too, point to other possible explanations for their preliminary findings. A larger center may have a larger pool of subjects, for example, allowing them to recruit more highly motivated individuals than smaller centers.

Regardless, if an obese or overweight person seeking treatment is given the option, "larger centers with more patient flow are probably the best," advised Astrup. "Go for the big ones."

Source: Will you lose more pounds at a bigger diet center?

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Weight Loss: Slimming down with Lose Big

Fitness First joins the fight against obesity with its own exercise and nutrition programme

While weight-loss reality shows continue to be popular, many viewers often wonder if they would have the same success in dropping the kilograms and whether they could even try without some degree of safe supervision.

The good news, at least for some Bangkok residents, is that obese people or those unhappy with their health due to weight problems can now try a similar programme safely at some fitness clubs.

Inspired by the "Biggest Loser Asia" reality show, the new Lose Big programme is designed to support and motivate those with weight problems to shed kilos over 13 weeks.

At six branches of Fitness First across Bangkok, eight selected applicants will be provided with 50 hours guidance from two personal trainers. The trainers will advise on nutrition and provide firsthand supervise while also leading group activities, says Fitness First (Thailand) marketing manager, Orawan Kleawpatinon.

The fixed-price course costs less than the normal fees for a personal trainer, Orawan adds. And although the trainers are in charge of a team, they will customise the programme to fit each individual.

Takes committment

Orawan stresses that applicants must be committed to the programme fully, as they are required to attend group exercises at least four times a week for a class duration of a minimum of two hours.

Each branch of the fitness club will manage its schedule to suit the group of Lose Big applicants. While the classes for housewives or freelance workers can be held during the day, the schedule for office workers might be after work.

"We cannot guarantee the same weight-loss result," says Orawan, "as contestants in the show because there are many factors to take into account, as the applicants are not with us around the clock. However, Lose Big is an intensive programme where applicants can join group activities with friends who really understand each other. Determined applicants will make more progress than if they are working out alone."

"'The Biggest Loser' reality show demonstrates well that even the obese can achieve weight loss but it needs determination and there is no short cut."

Those not attending the gym can have fun learning about weight loss and weight control with the "Cut the Fat" game on Facebook.

In the game, everyone starts out weighing 200kg. They choose balanced food and activities to lose weight and achieve a high score.
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News Source: DAILY XPRESS         

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The Wonderful No Starving Diet Control Program: Ive Just Lost 5 kgs in 12 Days!

Piset told she "Lost 5 kgs in 12 Days" I thing you can reading success story for weight control from her Thai is story

"This morning, I weighted at 91.6 kgs, a full 5 kgs reduction from 96.6 that I weighted in the pre-session weighted in February 5, 2010. I have accomplished all this eating 3 meals of meat, ham, sausage, eggs, non-fat chese, and non-fat milk, plus 2-3 protein snacks between each meal. There was never any moment of starvation. Never one moment of fears of the weight returning, as the trend had gone down steadily everyday as the coach had assured me from the beginning. My program will continue from 45 days of intensive control and a life long nutrition plan under advice from the coach.

I you used to be 80-85 kgs and found yourself gaining weight so rapidly, you would be glad to shed away those extra "loads!"

In 1994, at the age of 48, I was chosen the "champ" at a 400 members activity, being the heaviest participant in that event, weighting in at 86 kgs. Then, under advise, I quickly shed 8 kgs to 78 kgs in 4 months and returned my blood pressure to 120-80.

That time, I had quietly letting the weight return to test whether my rapid weight losing might be due to development of some kind of cancers. Then, it returned to the level of 80-82. That's where the weight had remained until last year, when it graually but consistently jumped up to 98 kgs. Under my own food control and exercise program, I was able to reduced it to 93 at times, followed by variation between 95-97 kgs. That's when a friend of mine convinced me to try out her program.

The coach used to weight nearly 60 kgs, at 42, a professionally very active teacher, failed to convince me at first. Then, after a month or so, I could see her becoming clearly slimmer and much healthier. So, I consented.

As, usual, no program or product name would be mentioned here to keep business and commercials out! Sorry about that.

My goal is 75-80 kgs after the 45 days program!

New Addition

The second stage of the weight reduction program might be a little slower:

As of this morning, March 12, 5 weeks from the beginning and 24 days since this blog was put up, I weighted in at 88.4 kg, that is 3.2 kg reduced from 24 days ago and 8.2 kg reduced from the beginning.

I will keep going until I can see 7 in the first digit!"         

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