Long-term maintenance following attainment of goal weight: a preliminary investigation.

The present study sought to determine whether the high relapse rates observed among subjects in fixed length behavioral-based weight loss programs would be lowered if subjects were allowed to continue in treatment until they had reached their desired weights. Five hundred seventeen (517) clients at a commercial weight-loss program were surveyed approximately 1 year posttreatment regarding their current weight status. Of the 267 subjects who responded to the mailed survey, it was found that 82% remained within 10% of their posttreatment weights at the time of the follow-up. Of particular interest was the fact that weight trends during the intervening year suggested subjects were actively and effectively calibrating their weight. It was concluded that the high relapse rates typical for this mode of treatment may be an artifact of premature treatment cessation and further investigation is indeed merited.