The first study focused on two different treatment groups that were used to help continue weight loss. The study included twenty-four obese women (aged 18 to 55) whose weight was considered to be 30 to 60% higher than ideal. These women were non-smokers and all in good health and were required to have lost no more than 10 pounds. in the last month or 20 pounds. over the last six months. The women were told they would be assigned to a traditional behavioral weight loss program or a new weight management program. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. 12 participants were in each group. The first treatment group was the behavioral choice treatment (BCT) group and the other was the traditional behavioral treatment (TBT) group. Behavioral choice treatment would be considered the cognitive-behavioral theory group of study. Weight was taken on a balance beam before treatment, during weekly sessions, after treatment, and at 3, 6, and 12 months during follow-up sessions. Height was also taken before treatment to help determine participants' BMI. Attendance, which was recorded at each session, and self-monitoring recordings were used as an index of dedication to the overall treatment program. Women were asked to keep a food diary (i.e. what they eat, how much, etc.) for the first 10 weeks of treatment. Women also completed self-report measures of depression and self-esteem before, mid-, and post-treatment, as well as at 3- and 6-month follow-up. All women in both groups received 2-week meal plans as well as recipe booklets. The only difference between them was the amount of food. Both plans were low in fat and contained 60% carbs, 25% fat and 15% protein. The TBT group had a diet of 1,200 kcal/day and the BCT participants had a diet of approximately 1,800 kcal/day. Women in both groups were encouraged to stick to these plans for the first two weeks. Eating at a consistent calorie level was also encouraged. Self-monitoring stopped before the end of acute treatment to respond to the change in behavior. The groups had the same amount of time for each session, the same contact time with the therapist, the same session topic used, the same homework, the same self-monitoring of eating behavior, and even the same exercise prescription. The exercise prescription they were given was to walk 30 minutes/day, 3 days/week. This had to be done in their free time. Participants attended 13 weekly 1.5-hour group treatment sessions. These sessions would have 5-7 people in each group. Clinical social workers, clinical psychologists and two...... middle of paper ......fruit and vegetable consumption, willingness to eat at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables was assessed. Results showed that the treatment group had a higher percentage than the control group in healthy eating outcomes at 6 years (43.9% vs. 31.3%); 12 (43.10% versus 35.2%); and 24 months (47.5% versus 34.3%). The treatment group also had higher percentages of exercise outcomes: 43% at 6 months, 37.7% at 12 months, and 44.9% at 24 months compared to the control group with 34.6% at 6 months, 35.9% at 12 months and 38.1% at 24 months. The treatment group also handled emotional stress significantly better than the control group.