MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to New Year's weight loss resolutions and chronic weight management, the best laid plans don't always yield success. A new national online survey among obese or overweight American adultsi shows that over-the-counter (OTC) products and plans are a big part of the problem, and that it is very difficult for people to change their lifestyles.
Adults who are obese or overweightii who made New Year's resolutionsiii to lose weight reported making an average of eight attempts, and an average of six were unsuccessful. Those who spent money on an OTC planiv reported paying an average of $650 for such remedies.
There is, however, some good news for people making weight loss and longer term weight management resolutions this year: 40 percent of those who made a New Year's resolution to lose weight,v had at least one successful weight loss attempt, and used prescription medication were able to keep the weight off.vi
"People want to commit to healthier lifestyles at the New Year, but they often get trapped in a regular cycle of diet failure," said Scott Kahan, M.D., M.P.H., director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness. "Patients who continuously struggle with weight and who have had repeated unsuccessful weight loss attempts should talk to a doctor about a reasonable and comprehensive plan that combines effective modalities, such as prescription medication, with positive lifestyle changes."
Fortunately, people don't have to go it alone. The new Smart ChangesTM Program sponsored by Vivus, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) is the first weight loss plan to combine a 14-day, free-trial offer of Qsymia® (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) capsules CIV, an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of obesity, with a Vivus-sponsored, free, three-month subscription to The Mayo Clinic Diet.
"The Smart Changes Program is designed to help people get the most out of their efforts," said Dr. Kahan. "FDA-approved Qsymia has been formulated both to reduce hunger and help you feel full, and The Mayo Clinic Diet's clinically-tested techniques can help you build behavioral changes for lasting success."