JAMA Internal Medicine Author Interviews Patient-Delivered Continuous Care for Weight Loss Maintenance
May 27, 2025
Join Tricia M. Leahey, a Professor at UConn renowned for her research on weight loss maintenance, as she discusses innovative strategies for sustaining weight loss through peer support. She emphasizes the significance of structured training in peer-led interventions, revealing how intentional relationships can enhance outcomes. The conversation dives into the impact of social networks on health behavior change and highlights the effectiveness of peer support in achieving long-term weight management—suggesting that having a 'friend in the journey' truly matters.
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Social Support for Weight Maintenance
- Weight loss maintenance is extremely challenging and often unravels after six to nine months of treatment.
- Positive social processes can be harnessed to support long-term health behavior change.
Two-Phase Weight Loss Strategy
- Use a two-phase approach: induce weight loss first, then focus on maintenance.
- Peer support from successful weight losers proved more effective than standard professional care.
Real-Time Peer Support Benefits
- Peer support allows more frequent, real-time interactions when support is most needed.
- This responsive model helps participants re-engage quickly after setbacks, improving maintenance.