PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — If you want to lose weight and keep it off, there is no doubt that you can benefit from support. Over the years, many people have attended support classes in person, but with improvements in technology, online courses have rapidly grown in popularity.
Researchers at Brown University studied participants in online programs and followed them for three years. They looked at short-term programs as well as long-term ones. Not surprisingly, the lengthier programs provide better results.
However, they also learned that those participants who participated in individual phone calls with counselors had dramatically improved results.
The phone calls made a major difference for even those with the toughest challenges. The researchers recommend further studies looking at a mix of online and individual counseling.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
