Preventing relapse in weight control: a discussion of cognitive and behavioral strategies.

Weight maintenance is the most difficult part of weight control. People who diet and regain weight often experience negative physiological effects and lowered self-esteem each time they regain weight. This suggests the need for successful weight maintenance programs. Health-care professionals can develop and implement maintenance programs using cognitive and behavior-change strategies which include ways to cope with relapse. This paper describes the physiological and emotional problems associated with weight maintenance and explores the use of cognitive and behavioral concepts in addressing these issues.