Adherence
A stepped-care weight loss intervention (STEP) achieves clinically meaningful weight loss comparable to standard behavioral weight loss (SBWI) but at significantly lower cost.
If you are struggling with weight loss, a stepped-care approach might be a good option. You start with less frequent contact (e.g., monthly group sessions) and only increase the intensity (e.g., more frequent calls or individual sessions) if you aren't meeting your weight loss goals. This can save you time and money while still achieving significant weight loss, though you might lose slightly less weight than with a very intensive program.
Compared with SBWI, STEP resulted in clinically meaningful weight loss that cost less to implement.
Why this rating
Randomized clinical trial with 363 participants, 18-month duration, and intention-to-treat analysis.
Source
Effect of a Stepped-Care Intervention Approach on Weight Loss in Adults
John M. Jakicic et al. · JAMA · 2012
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