OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare weight regain in a group of perimenopausal women (48.0 +/- 4.4 years old), randomized to a 12-month weight maintenance internet intervention or to self-directed weight maintenance after a 4-month weight loss treatment. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: After a 4-month behavioral weight loss program, 135 women were randomized to either internet or self-directed groups. The internet group (n = 66) used a website to gain information and complete logs concerning their weight, diet, and exercise progress over a 12-month follow-up. The 69 self-directed women had no contact with study staff. All women were measured for weight and body composition, and diet intake, and were interviewed using the 7-day physical activity questionnaires at baseline, 4 months, and 16 months. RESULTS: At the end of the 12-month follow-up, the internet and self-directed groups had regained on average 0.4 5.0kg and 0.6 4.0kg, respectively (p = 0.5). In within-group analyses, internet diet-log entries were correlated with follow-up weight change (r = -0.29; p < 0.05) and moderately with change in exercise energy expenditure (EEE; r = 0.44; p < 0.01). Follow-up weight change was not correlated with change in dietary intake. DISCUSSION: While significant weight loss was maintained over follow-up by both groups of women, internet use did not surpass self-direction in helping to sustain weight loss. Among internet users, internet use was related to weight change and EEE.

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