Cognitive-behavioral therapy in obesity (Attaining and sustaining changes in eatinghabits and physical excercise, and weight losses)

Overview

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) applied in 12-week courses of overweight reduction (COR)of the STOB society is a component of a complex approach to the treatment of obesity in theCzech Republic. The objective of the present study was to verify the overall effectiveness of thattherapy; it has been focused on the attaining and sustaining of weight losses and changes inhabits related to having meals and to physical exercise in a times lapse of 2-7 years afterfinishing the course.The mean loss in weight under CBT was 6.4 kg, i.e. 7.4% of the participants' initial weight. Halfof the participants of the course were successful in sustaining their weight loss. After 2-7 yearsthe average weight loss equals almost 3% of the initial weight,40% of the participants remainedat a 5% weight loss, 2/3 of the subjects weighed less than 2-7 years ago at the beginning of thecourse. Due to the course, 92% of the subjects under follow-up changed the composition of theirfood, of whom 85% have kept an appropriate diet to this day. A commensurate amount and foodregimen: of the 94% of participants who adopted a lesser food intake, 61% are holding on to thathabit, and of the 81% who adopted an appropriate meal regimen, 45% are holding on to it.A change in the menue is apparently a lesser problem than in changing the amount of food andits regimen. It does not deprive them of enjoying food, a better composition of the food benefitsthe organism whereby that change is then strengthened.18% of the participants increased their regular physical exercise (the present 46% of participantsagainst the 28% who had regular exercise already before the course).Adopting regular physical exercise in the obese is more difficult than changing their dietaryhabits.The results have revealed that courses in weight reduction are an important component ofa complex approach to the treatment of obesity in the Czech Republic.

Key words:
cognitive-behavioral therapy - obesity - overweight - eating habits - change - physicalexercise - group therapy - sustaining - weight loss.