A Therapeutic Coalition for Obesity: Behavior Modification and Patient Self-Help

The effectiveness of a self-help organization for the obese was significantly increased by behavior modification techniques. Sixteen chapters of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), with a total of 234 members, received one of four treatments: behavior modification conducted by a professional therapist, behavior modification conducted by the TOPS leader, nutrition education conducted by the TOPS leader, and continuation of the usual TOPS program. During the three-month treatment period, behavior modification produced significantly lower attrition rates and significantly greater weight losses than did the alternate treatment methods. At nine-month follow-up, the differences among treatments were even greater.