More importantly, the women maintained or continued to lose weight during the maintenance phase, unlike other diets, which typically show a regain of lost weight. These data confirm that Curves ™ intermittent dieting and eating approach to weight loss works. Most importantly, it ™s promoting health and fitness to one of the largest populations in the country, the typical American soccer mom ™ who wouldn ™t normally have the time or desire for conventional fitness programs. Curves ™ 30 minute workout and 30 minute weight management classes combine fitness and a social support network that keep women interested and losing weight. We were very impressed that the women following the Curves program lost an average of 14 pounds in just 10 weeks “ similar to the amount of weight loss previously reported after following the Atkins, Pritikin or the American Heart Association weight-loss programs for up to six months, Kreider said.

One hundred sixty overweight, moderately obese and sedentary women participated in the 14-week trial. Using a control group to establish a baseline, the Curves diet was tested against weight reduction programs similar to the American Heart Association, a diet using a low-fat approach limited to 30 percent fat intake and the low carbohydrate and high protein approach. The studies looked at how the program affected body composition, resting energy expenditure, training adaptations, health markers such as blood lipid levels, relationship of leptin to weight loss, insulin sensitivity, quality of life, and body image. The data showed impressive improvements in many of the markers tested. Additional studies are ongoing to look at further results of the Curves program on all aspects of quality of life, said Kreider.

Dr. Kreider has conducted numerous studies on nutrition and exercise and has published two books, more than 300 research articles/abstracts in scientific journals, and more than 150 articles for health and fitness magazines. Dr. Kreider is a Fellow of the American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) and is an active member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).