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Researchers Begin New Study of Long-Term Successful Weight Watchers

Research assistant Tate Halfman discusses the new weight loss study at a meeting at Weight Watchers headquarters in New York.

 

STRIDE researchers are hoping to better understand shared characteristics among successful long-term weight losers as part of a new collaboration with Weight Watchers. The project, led by Suzanne Phelan, will look at novel factors playing a role in long-term successful weight loss. While the National Weight Control Registry, which Phelan also worked on, identified several characteristics of long-term successful weight losers, this registry will look at new weight loss and weight maintenance strategies.

“We’re excited to study the day-to-day behaviors of long-term successful weight losers and how they effectively respond to the plethora of obesity-promoting factors in our world today,” Phelan said.

The team will study about 20,000 Weight Watchers members and the behavioral, physiological and environmental factors that contribute to long-term weight loss success. Cal Poly researchers will survey members who are older than 18, have lost 20 pounds or more via Weight Watchers, and have maintained this loss for at least a year.

Researchers will also send surveys to a comparison group of those with overweight or obesity who have maintained a stable weight and are not enrolled in a weight loss program at study entry and one year later.

STRIDE’s newest research assistant, Tate Halfman, has been working under Phelan to coordinate the project. Halfman, a San Luis Obispo High School and UC Berkeley alumnus, joined STRIDE in January. He has since been developing the surveys for the new study and preparing research documents. Halfman, who studied integrative biology, hopes to pursue a career in medicine. He said his job at Cal Poly is giving him experience working with patients.

“It has been enriching working on this project and seeing research in action from the beginning,” said Halfman. “I am thrilled to be starting with this project on the ground level. I look forward to working on the project for its duration and analyzing the results.”

Phelan and Halfman met with Weight Watchers staff in New York in July and hope to launch the program this summer.

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