Maintenance of long-term weight loss: Future directions

This paper examines the limitations of previous adult intervention studies primarily designed for weight loss in obese and overweight subjects. High subject attrition rates, lack of success in long-term weight loss, and lack of programs developed for maintenance of weight loss are critical areas in need of investigation. Future long-term research studies (5 years) with innovative approaches to weight loss and maintenance are needed. For weight loss, screening and profiling subjects to different intervention approaches needs to be tested, along with slow versus fast weight loss. For maintenance of weight loss, tailoring, problem solving therapy, improved long-term physical activity adherence, and meal replacements need to be evaluated. The goal is to find interventions that foster maintenance of 10% weight loss for 3 to 5 years after intervention in 50% of subjects.