Think Yourself Thin

Non-dieting treatments can prevent overweight and obese women from gaining more weight, according to Otago University researchers. A group of 225 women took part in a 10-week study using non-diet techniques such as relaxation, focusing on hunger rather than wieght loss, and reconizing the stress-related triggers for overeating. The study helped the women avoid gaining more weight over the following year, and reduced anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue and insomnia. The researchers say many people who lose weight through dieting tend to regain the lost weight within five years, as well as developing "very unhealty" attitudes towards food.

Reproduced from p53 of the New Zealand Listener, May 24-30 2008