Talks that explore your reasons helped people lose a little more weight.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   The trials included 1,448 people who were overweight or obese, with average ages from about 41 to 62. Some trials included people with diabetes or high blood pressure.

2. 02

   What they did

   People who got motivational talks had sessions in which a trained helper explored their reasons for change. The other groups got usual care, printed leaflets or similar time with a helper.

3. 03

   What happened

   Across the trials, people who had the motivational sessions lost about 1.5 kg more weight than the other groups. When weight and BMI were combined, the trials varied widely and the difference was not clear.

What the review found

1. Helped

   Across 8 trials, people in the motivational groups lost about 1.5 kg more weight than others.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 8 studies · vs usual care, leaflets or a similar contact

2. No difference

   Across 7 trials, a body-size score called BMI did not clearly differ between the groups.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 7 studies · vs usual care, leaflets or a similar contact

3. No difference

   Across 11 trials, weight and BMI together showed no clear difference between the groups.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 11 studies with 1,448 people · vs usual care, leaflets or a similar contact · ⚠ the studies disagreed a lot

Source