license public domain
by CDC/ Amanda Mills acquired from Public Health Image Library (Website)

In 1994 the National Weight Control Registry was established with the goal of collecting data from individuals who had long-term successful weight loss. Since then they have collected data from over 10,000 individuals. To be included in the registry you must be over age 18, have lost at least 30 pounds and maintained that weight loss for over one year. Annually, questionnaires and follow up surveys are used to examine the behavioral and psychological characteristics of weight maintainers, as well as the strategies they use to maintain their weight losses.

Some of their interesting findings are as follows:

• 45% of registry participants lost the weight on their own and the other 55% lost weight with the help of some type of program
• 98% of Registry participants report that they modified their food intake in some way to lose weight.
• 94% increased their physical activity, with the most frequently reported form of activity being walking.

There is variety in how NWCR members keep the weight off. Most report continuing to maintain a low calorie, low fat diet and doing high levels of activity.

• 78% eat breakfast every day.
• 75% weigh themselves at least once a week.
• 62% watch less than 10 hours of TV per week.
• 90% exercise, on average, about 1 hour per day.

These results are pretty boring but expected. There is no magic bullet. There are not thousands of people in the registry that lost weight with an herbal supplement purchased online. They eat less and move more. Simple but not easy.

To read more about the registry or to join, visit www.nwcr.ws