Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has revealed that regular self-monitoring behaviours and tracking tools are the secret to losing weight and keeping it off, as part of new research into users of CSIRO’s Total Wellbeing Diet.
The study initially mapped the total weight loss of 6602 CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet members who had completed the 12-week program.
It found 64 per cent lost a clinically significant amount (more than five kilograms) of weight at one year, with a sustained average weight loss of 10.6kg, or 11.9 per cent of their starting body weight.
The most successful of this group lost an average of 22.3kg, equivalent to 21.7 per cent of their starting body weight.
To better understand the behaviours resulting in this success, CSIRO scientists conducted a further online study of 738 participants to compare the usage patterns of various CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet platform features.
This second stage analysis revealed the perceived importance of tracking, self-monitoring and ongoing education to individuals.
CSIRO research scientist Dr Gilly Hendrie said using tools and support frameworks to educate around diet and nutrition was critical for ongoing societal health and lifestyle improvements, especially given that 67 per cent of Australians are currently overweight or obese.
“There are no quick fixes when it comes to sustainable weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, and this study helps us to show that weight loss comes from a range of regular actions and positive behaviours,” she said.
“It’s repeatedly using Total Wellbeing Diet tools, while developing positive habits, that help people to come back to, and maintain, a healthy lifestyle.
“We’re really happy to have more research that reinforces the critical role that lifestyle and behaviour change plays in long term weight loss and management.”
Other key findings of the study included:
It was most common (14.6 per cent of study participants) for people to lose weight during the first six months of a weight loss journey and then enter a maintenance phase for the remainder of the year;
In spite of the maintenance phase, 54 per cent of 738 participants surveyed who had lost 14kg or more had been able to continue weight loss after a plateau;
Most people reported that they were still monitoring their weight on a weekly basis (44 per cent), or at least weekly (daily + weekly, 64 per cent);
Members who lost more than 10 per cent of their body weight tended to view menu plans 70 per cent more; and
After the first 12 weeks, usage of the food diary was two-and-a-half to three times higher over the remainder of the year in members who lost 10 per cent or more of their starting body weight.
Information: www.totalwellbeingdiet.com/au
