Date Approved

2005

Degree Type

Open Access Senior Honors Thesis

Department or School

Health Promotion and Human Performance

First Advisor

Stephen McGregor, PhD

Second Advisor

Sheldon Levine

Abstract

Objective: Traditional approaches to address obesity typically entail severe caloric restriction and drastic alterations in activity pattern. The MFit Weight Management Program, a derivative of the University of Michigan Health System, takes a different approach to weight loss. The goal of the program is to stress the development of longterm lifestyle changes and it places less emphasis on rapid weight loss. It was the purpose of this study to determine whether the MFit Weight Management Program, a behavioral modification program, is successful for decreasing anthropometric and cardiovascular measurements of obesity. Research Methods and Procedures: This is an ongoing study with revolving subject recruitment; therefore, some data analysis is completed, while some is ongoing. The dataset will grow as additional MFit Programs are completed. To date, 72 subjects have completed the 12 week program and 21 subjects have completed the 6 month follow up. At the pre, mid, post, and 6 month follow up fractions of the weight management program, cardiovascular and anthropometric measurements of obesity were assessed. Data analysis was performed by running an analysis of variance. The ANOVA was run twice, first by comparing the data of the completed subjects over time by pre, mid, and post fractions. Secondly, by comparing the 6 month completed subject data by pre, mid, post, and 6 month fractions. All statistical procedures were performed using SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Statistical significance was defined by a probability of less than or equal to 0.05. Results: During the 12 week program significant results were obtained in total cholesterol (P = 0.000), NHDL cholesterol (P = 0.001), RHR (P = 0.030), percent initial body weight lost (P = 0.000), pounds lost (P = 0.000), neck circumference (P = 0.000), and waist circumference (P = 0.005). Significant results in the 6 month follow up participants included percent weight lost (P = 0.010), pounds lost (P = 0.016), neck circumference (P = 0.018), and BMI (P = 0.002). Discussion: Preliminary results of the study indicate significant change in anthropometric and cardiovascular measures over a course of 12 weeks and a 6 month time period. Therefore, the results provide support for the notion that a behavior modification program can decrease cardiovascular and anthropometric measures that are indicators of obesity and its associated health risks over both a short and long term time period.

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