Researchers from the Edgar National Center for Diabetes Research in Dunedin, New Zealand, divided 200 women who had lost at least 5 percent of their body weight into two support groups. The “intensive” group went to 11 individualized 35-minute meetings with a nutritionist and exercise trainer plus two training sessions at a private gym. The other group weighed in with a nurse every two weeks and spent five to 10 minutes talking with her about their diet and physical activity. The nurse would also periodically check in with participants by phone between weigh-ins.

Getting the help you need

After two years, only 54 percent of the participants in the intensive support sessions felt the visits were frequent enough to help them manage their weight issues, while 84 percent of the participants in the nurse support group felt their visits met their needs. The average weight loss of both groups was the same. But the cost for the nurse group was far less than for the group that met with both a nutritionist and a trainer.

If you’re hoping to find support for your weight-loss efforts, ask your primary care physician whether you can come to the office and weigh in with the nurse every two weeks. If that’s not convenient or cost-effective, join forces with a weight-loss buddy and weigh each other on the same day every week or every other week. Make sure to use the same scales each time, to minimize fluctuations. Then discuss ways you can help each other reach your goals.