Keeping a Food Diary Doubles Diet Weight Loss

The study, conducted by Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research in Portland shows addition to keeping food diaries and turning them in at weekly support group meetings, participants were asked to follow a heart-healthy DASH diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low-fat or non-fat dairy, attend weekly group sessions and exercise at moderate intensity levels for at least 30 minutes a day. After six months, the average weight loss among the nearly 1,700 participants was approximately 13 pounds. Comment: The average weekly wieght loss was half a pound. Weight loss goals are more likely to be maintained than when using a faster method. However, while the study shows short term success we need to know the participant's status after 2 years.