People who try to lose weight are not only helping themselves, but also helping others.

This is the result of a new study by the University of Connecticut, which tracked the weight loss progress of 130 couples for more than six months. Researchers have found that when one of a couple promises to lose weight, other couples may also lose some weight, even if they are not actively involved in weight loss intervention.

In this study, about one-third of untreated couples lost 3% or more weight after six months, although they did not participate in any active intervention. 3% weight loss is considered a measurable health benefit.

Amy Gorin, a professor at the University of Connecticut and the main researcher of this study, called it the "ripple effect".

"When a person changes his behavior, the people around him will also change," said behavioral psychologist Goering. "Whether patients cooperate with their health care providers, join a community-based lifestyle, such as a weight loss center, or try to lose weight by themselves, their new healthy behaviors can benefit their lives."

The study, published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Obesity, also found that the speed at which couples lose weight is interrelated. In other words, if a member loses weight at a steady rate, their partner will do the same. Similarly, if a person tries to lose weight, their partner will struggle.

"How we change our diet and exercise habits will affect others in both positive and negative ways," said Goering, who studies the environmental and social factors that affect weight loss. "On the positive side, spouses may imitate their partners' behaviors, count calories with them, weigh themselves more frequently and eat low-fat foods. "

Previous studies on the ripple effect of weight loss were limited to patients who participated in close monitoring, clinical intervention and weight loss surgery. Most studies rely on couples to self-report their weight loss, which increases the possibility of making mistakes.

The University of Connecticut study is the first time to use randomized control design to study the progress of couples in an unstructured and widely available weight loss plan. The researchers recorded the objective measurement results of participants' weight and detected the couples' weight loss trajectory.

Husband and wife, a term used for cohabiting participants, are evaluated at three and six months regardless of their marital status.

The couple were divided into two groups. In one group, one member of the couple participated in a six-month structured weight observer program, which provided face-to-face counseling and online tools to help lose weight. In the second group, a member of the couple received a four-page handout containing information about healthy eating, exercise and weight control strategies (such as choosing a low-fat, low-calorie diet and controlling the amount). Contact these people through handouts.

The results showed that people who tried to lose weight by themselves (booklet recipients) and untreated partners who participated in structural projects (Weight Watchers Group) also lost weight at 3 months and 6 months.

The results of this study can add new content to the state-directed weight loss programs, which are traditionally aimed at individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Goring, a professor of psychological science and deputy director of the Institute of Health, Intervention and Cooperation at the University of Connecticut, said that health care providers and organizations that focus on healthy lifestyles may want to consider the impact of weight loss in future evaluation and treatment plans. # Breeze Project #

It remains to be seen whether the chain reaction of weight loss will extend to people who share a family, not just couples and other family members. Goering said that this will be the focus of another study.