Abstract
Purpose of ReviewSocial support, especially from peers, has been found to contribute to successful weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance. Peer support groups may represent a particularly effective intervention technique for weight loss. This review focuses upon peer support weight loss interventions with the objective of identifying common elements of successful programs.Recent FindingsPeer support interventions often consist of expert-led educational content, supplemented by peer-led activities or discussion. Peer groups may provide support to individuals who have little social support in their normal lives. Interventions are often designed for pre-existing groups, especially high-risk groups such as women from ethnic minorities. Men are underrepresented in weight loss programs and often perceive “dieting” as feminine. However, several peer programs for male sports fans have successfully resulted in weight loss and fostering support for healthy lifestyle among male peers. In addition to professionally created peer support groups, many online weight loss communities are created and moderated by peers. Online communities allow participants to share peer support similar to in-person formats.SummaryMany peer support interventions show significant short-term weight loss. Group members frequently report that peer support was critical to their weight loss success. A sense of community among likeminded individuals with similar goals was frequently cited. Online peer support groups are becoming increasingly prevalent, may fulfill similar needs to in-person groups, and have additional advantages in accessibility, and access to a larger peer network, and may facilitate long-term adherence.
Highlights
Challenges of Commercial Weight Loss ProgramsObesity is a serious growing health concern
Because of the well-known ill health associated with obesity [2] including greater risk of cardiovascular disease [3], many obese individuals enroll in weight loss programs to improve their health
A recent meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials found that compared with control, peer support interventions for weight loss led to improved glycemic control, (HbA1c = − 0.22%; 95% CI − 0.40 to − 0.04; p = 0.02) and decreased obesity (BMI = − 0.83 kg/m2; 95% CI − 1.58 to − 0.07; p = 0.03), but had no significant effect upon systolic blood pressure (− 0.90 mmHG; 95% CI − 3.05 to 1.24 mmHG)
Summary
Obesity is a serious growing health concern. In 2017–2018, 42.4% of American adults were obese [1]. Very few individuals successfully lose weight: Men with a BMI > 45 have a 1 in 5 chance of losing 5% body weight, while women (1 in 6 to chance) or men with a BMI 30–44.9 face even greater odds (1 in 8 to 12 chance) [4]. Even for those who defy the odds, long-term weight loss maintenance is difficult. Results ranged from 0.1 greater weight loss at 12 months for Atkins to 4.0% greater weight loss at 3–6 months, with attenuated effects thereafter, for very low calorie programs such as Medifast [6]. Among Jenny Craig platinum program members, participants who remained in the program for 40–52 weeks lost 12.0% (SD 7.2%) body weight, while those who left after 1–4 weeks lost
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