by Mairead Walpole

Created on: October 04, 2008   Last Updated: October 14, 2008

According to the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/index.htm, 34 percent of adults are classified as obese while an additional 32 percent are considered overweight. A quick web search on the term "weight loss programs" will provide a staggering number of hits. While the specifics of the various weight loss programs may change, the experts all agree on the basics; weight loss and maintenance is a function of the number of calories consumed and burned. To loss weight, one must burn more calories than one consumes. To maintain weight, one must balance the calories consumed and burned.

So why can't the 66 percent of our population just employ this simple equation and easily reach a healthy weight? As one of that 66 percent, I can tell you that as simple as it seems on paper, the reality is quite a different situation. If losing weight were easy, obesity would not be the national health concern that it is for the United States. While it is certainly possible to calculate one's caloric needs, plan a menu and exercise program that will result in fewer calories consumed than burned, there is a missing element. These activities are hard work, which is made harder by the underlying factors for why a person will consume more calories than can be burned. Some of these factors are emotional, some are physical, some are a function of time or resources, but all of them can be mitigated or eliminated with support. There are also different types of support. Family and friends offering words of encouragement, offering to watch the kids so that you can squeeze in a walk or a trip to the gym, and agreeing not to tempt you with trigger foods are all important but these things only address part of the support needs. Support from others who have successfully lost weight or are experiencing the obstacles and successes is equally, if not more, important (Wolfe WA. A review: maximizing social supporta neglected strategy for improving weight management with African-American women. Ethn Dis. 2004 Spring; 14(2):212-8.)

Finding a support group is fairly easy, finding the right one may take some time. There are face to face groups as well as on-line groups and some are free, while others are by subscription only. To find a group, type in "weight loss support groups" in your favorite search engine and look through the results to find a group that meets your needs. You can also ask for recommendations from your family doctor, local hospital, friends, family, and even your spiratual or religious advisors. Many churches or other religious insitutions offer support groups to their congregations. (If they don't have one, perhaps you can offer to start one.) Some employers are also allowing organizations such as Weight Watchers to conduct meetings on site or are setting up employee assistance programs that offer weight loss counseling and support. Finally, there is always the "buddy system" where you and a friend decide to become weight loss buddies and agree to check-in with one another on progress as well as meeting to walk at the local track or mall. Research conducted by Health Management Resources indicates that on-line support groups can be as effective as the more traditional approaches (Donnelly JE, Smith BK, Dunn L, Mayo MM, Jacobsen DJ, Stewart EE, Gibson C, Sullivan, DK. Comparison of phone vs clinic approach to achieve 10% weight loss. Int J Obes Advance online publication, 27 February 2007.)

Regardless of whether you plan to address your weight reduction efforts through a physician ordered, recognized program, or your own plan, don't forget to include support. It could be the ingridient for sweet success.

Learn more about this author, Mairead Walpole.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.