Stanford researchers recently showed that family members of patients who undergo bariatic surgery may reap the weight-loss benefits, too. Now an Italian study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association is showing that when people use cognitive behavioral therapy to lose weight, their family members often also slim down. Booster Shots reports today:
Researchers surveyed 230 adult family members of 149 people in Italy who enrolled in a weekly cognitive behavioral therapy group that lasted about six months. They were asked about what foods they ate, how much they ate, and if they were motivated to exercise.
On average, family members reduced their daily calorie intake by 200. That translated in an average weight loss of about 2.2 pounds. Among obese family members, the average weight loss was almost six pounds.
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The authors noted that since cognitive behavioral therapy encourages family support, that involvement may spur spouses, parents, siblings and children to become more aware of their own eating habits.
Previously: Study finds family members of weight-loss-surgery patients also shed pounds
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