Weight Loss in a Community Initiative That Promotes Decreased Energy Intake and Increased Physical Activity and Dairy Consumption: Calcium Weighs-In

Background: This project addresses the need to identify feasible, effective weight-management programs that can be implemented within communities. The controversial role of dairy products in weight-management programs is also explored. Methods: The Calcium Weighs-In weight-loss program placed equal emphasis on diet and physical activity and was delivered within a community intervention to promote dairy consumption in Calcium, New York. One hundred ninety-nine adults in Calcium, NY, participated in the weight-loss program. Weight loss, increase in dairy intake, increase in steps, decrease in blood pressure, decrease in waist circumference, and decrease in body mass index (BMI) were examined. Results: The mean weight loss for 116 subjects who completed the program was 6.0 +/- 4.2 kg (mean +/- SD, P < .0001) with a percent weight change of 6.4% +/- 4.2% (P < .0001). An increase of 3582 +/- 4070 steps (P < .0001), as well as an increase of 0.8 +/- 1.2 dairy servings (P < .0001) was seen. Higher average dairy consumption was associated with greater weight loss and a greater decrease in waist circumference. Conclusion: The results show that effective weight-management programs can be implemented within communities. The results are also consistent with recommendations to include low-fat dairy products and a physical activity component in weight-management programs.