[Estimation of the influence of psychological support on body mass reduction in the obese patients].

Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fatty tissue in the organism. Incorrect eating habits and low physical activity are the major cause of overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of dietetic treatment and increased physical activity in patients with excessive body mass. The study was carried out on 140 patients with overweight or simple obesity (131 women and 9 men), aged 15-65 years, the members of the support group previously instructed in dietetics. The treatment consisted of the application of diet 1000-1500 kcal/day and the participation in the programme of body-mass reducing exercises (physical exercise twice a week and exercise in water once a week for 45 min). The attendance was monitored and those who missed the classes were excluded from the group. The study was terminated after 2 years. In the group I (exercising for 0-3 months) 39 patients reduced their body mass by 7.7 kg on the average. In the group II (exercising for 3-6 months) 59 patients reduced their body mass by the average of 14.5 kg. In the group III (exercising for 6-12 months) in 38 patients the average loss of body mass was 20.9 kg. In the group IV (exercising for over 12 months) 4 patients reduced their weight by 26-70 kg (mean 50 kg), which gave the 26.5-47% loss of the initial body mass. The patients with overweight and obesity included in the present study reduced their body mass through the application of an adequately selected diet and increased physical activity. More than 40% of the patients were able to preserve up to 6 months of the programme, and about 30% up to one year.