Applying a stepped-care approach to the treatment of obesity
Received 24 January 2005
Abstract
Objective
In a stepped-care (SC) approach to treatment, more intensive interventions are implemented when less intensive interventions prove to be insufficient. It was hypothesized that a behavioral weight loss program with SC (BWLP+SC) would evidence superior treatment outcomes when compared with a BWLP without SC (BWLP).
Methods
Forty-four obese, sedentary adults were randomly assigned to a BWLP+SC [i.e., problem-solving therapy (PST)] or a BWLP.
Results
Participants in the BWLP+SC lost significantly more weight and body fat, reported greater physical activity and greater improvements in diet, and were more likely to achieve their within-treatment weight loss goals than BWLP participants. Participants in the BWLP+SC who received PST (BWLP+SC [PST]) also evidenced superior treatment outcomes including superior weight loss maintenance (through 12 months posttreatment) compared with BWLP participants matched on SC eligibility [BWLP (SC matched)].
Conclusion
BWLP+SC may improve treatment outcomes and participant motivation to achieve preestablished weight loss goals.
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, United States
Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. Tel.: +1 419 372 9405; fax: +1 419 372 6013
1 Authors contributed equal effort to this manuscript.
ABSTRACT