Prevention of Weight Gain: Strategies for Success

Helen Thompson, MA, RD, CDE
Monica Krygowski, MS, RD, LD

Abstract

As the trend toward increasing overweight and obesity escalates, one strategy related to behavior change receives insufficient attention. Research shows that teaching both individuals and families to implement small behavior changes into their everyday lives prevents the one- to two-pound weight gain most Americans experience annually (1,2). While this approach will not significantly affect weight loss, it can prevent the dangerous weight increases that are leading to the epidemics of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes among other chronic diseases. Furthermore, this small changes approach appears to be more acceptable and sustainable in test populations. Details and rationale for this approach are discussed.