Research Studies On The HUGS Program 1. Study - Adult Facilitator Package "Reduction of Dieting Attitudes & Practices After Participation In a Non-Diet Lifestyle Program" 2. Study - HUGS Efficacy - "Impact of a Nutrition and Support Program for the Obese Not Centered On Weight Loss: Pilot Study of HUGS Outcomes"       Study 1 - Adult Facilitator Package (J Can Diet Assoc 1995;56:81 -85) Reduction of Dieting Attitudes and Practices after participation in a Non-Diet Lifestyle Program Linda Omichinski, BSc (FSc), RD Kathleen Harrison, MSc, RD, CDE

Abstract

A 10-week group counseling intervention was designed to help clients develop an alternative perspective to chronic dieting and promote an independent, non-dieting lifestyle characterized by self-acceptance and self-nourishment. To assess the frequency of thinking or behaving in a manner consistent with chronic dieters before and after participation in the program, participants completed self-administered quizzes on the first and last class of the intervention. Two hundred and fifty-three participants in 26 classes delivered in 10 cities across Canada in 1992 and 1993 completed the pre-quiz. Two hundred and eight (I 96 F-, 1 2 Ml participants, average age 43 ± 14.3 years, completed both the pre-and post-quizzes. Parametric statistical tests were used to evaluate the direction and magnitude of changes reported by the participants and to assess the effect of sex, age, initial score, and number of classes attended on measured changes. Participants made statistically significant changes in scores for each of the 16 statements, as well as on the total scores. Men reported a significantly low frequency of dieting attitudes and behaviours than women on the pre-quiz, but not on the post-quiz. Age and number of classes attended were not associated with changes in quiz scores. A lifestyle perspective consistent with dieting thoughts and behaviours and low self-acceptance can be improved by participation in a non-diet lifestyle program. (J Can Diet Assoc 1995;56:81 -85)

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"Impact of a Nutrition and Support Program for the Obese Not Centered On Weight Loss: Pilot Study of HUGS Outcomes" by Barbara Lehmann, LCSW, Donna Ciliska, PhD., Pauk Ernsberger, PhD., & Linda Omichinski, RD.

Research study of the HUGS program shows that exposure to non-dieting intervention leads to the internalization of a self-acceptance message and to improvements in self-esteem.

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