There are two parts to this question:

1) Scientific Studies - I need to find a set of scientific weight loss
studies that have analyzed the effectives off the buddy system
(basically goal setting with a friend).

2) Protocols, Rules, Structure, etc. - Secondly, I need to specific
details behind the optimal ways to structure a buddy program for
weight loss.  I imagine this will have good supporting psychological
rationale as well.  So, this should include both how the program
should be structured and why it should be structured that way.

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 28 Jul 2005 12:14 PDT

Hello again Broker,

I have only been able to find information for part 1 of your question.

I will post my findings in the comment box for you to review.  If it
meets your needs, please let me know and I will post the material in
the answer box  and claim the fee.

Please note that you can lower the price of your question accordingly.
 
(You can change the price by going to "My Account," 
selecting "My Unanswered Questions", clicking on the question, and 
then clicking on "Change Question Parameters" to modify the pricing.) 
  
Afterwards, you can post another question, if you wish, to see whether
someone can find part 2 of your question.

Thanks,
Bobbie7.

---

Clarification of Question by broker-ga on 03 Aug 2005 08:56 PDT

Yes, this answers part 1; I have lowered price to reflect that.

Dear Broker,

Thank you for accepting my findings for part 1 of your question.

I am reposting the material below for your convenience.

Sincerely,
Bobbie7

--------------------------------------------------------------

Benefits of recruiting participants with friends and increasing social
support for weight loss and maintenance.
by Wing, Rena R.; Jeffery, Robert W.
from Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology. 1999 Feb Vol 67(1) 132-138

"To determine the benefits of social support for weight loss and
maintenance, this study recruited participants (N?=?166) either alone
or with 3 friends or family members and then randomly assigned then to
a standard behavioral treatment (SBT) or SBT with social support
strategies. Participants recruited with friends had greater weight
losses at the end of the 4-month treatment and at Month 10 follow-up.
Both recruitment strategy and the social support manipulation affected
treatment completion and weight-loss maintenance. In those recruited
alone and given SBT, 76% completed treatment and 24% maintained their
weight loss in full from Months 4 to 10. Among those recruited with
friends and given SBT plus social support, 95% completed treatment and
66% maintained their weight loss in full."
http://content.apa.org/journals/ccp/67/1/132

Involving Support Partners in Obesity Treatment.
by Gorin, Amy; Phelan, Suzanne; Tate, Deborah; Sherwood, Nancy;
Jeffery, Robert; Wing, Rena
from Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 2005 Apr Vol 73(2) 341-343

?In this study, the authors examined whether the number or success of
weight loss partners influences participants' outcomes in behavioral
weight loss treatment. Overweight participants (n = 109) assigned to
an exercise intensive group in a larger trial were encouraged to
invite up to 3 partners to attend treatment. Weight losses at 6, 12,
and 18 months were not associated with the number of partners (0-3)
but were associated with the weight loss success of the partners.
Participants with at least 1 successful partner (weight loss ?10% at 6
months) lost significantly (p = .004) more weight at 6, 12, and 18
months than those with no successful partners and those without
partners. Interclass correlations of weight change between
participants and their partner(s) were strong at all time points (ps <
.01). Support partners appear to only be beneficial in obesity
treatment when partners themselves lose weight.?
http://content.apa.org/journals/ccp/73/2/341


Enhancing social support in weight loss management groups.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8068056&query_hl=11


A review: maximizing social support--a neglected strategy for
improving weight management with African-American women.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15132206&query_hl=11


SOCIAL NETWORKS

Generic Keywords: (What are these?) 
Obesity, Diet, Dieting, Portion control, Overweight, Wellness, Health,
Weight Loss, Weight management, Research, Reports

Publication Date: 01-APR-04
Format: PDF
Price: $800.00 
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
      

  
Description In Chapter V we investigate the relationship between
social networks and weight management. Importantly, we find that
informal social networks comprised of friends and family members
actually serve as an impediment to successful weight management
practices. By contrast, we note that formal, impersonal social
networks of the sort encountered in support groups serve to promote
weight management strategies.
 
http://hartman-group.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0244-461_ITM



BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION FOR OBESITY
http://www.endotext.org/obesity/obesity17/obesity17.htm

Great job once again.

Broker,

Here are my findings. Would part one of your question be answered with
this material?

Regards,
Bobbie7

Benefits of recruiting participants with friends and increasing social
support for weight loss and maintenance.
by Wing, Rena R.; Jeffery, Robert W.
from Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology. 1999 Feb Vol 67(1) 132-138

"To determine the benefits of social support for weight loss and
maintenance, this study recruited participants (N?=?166) either alone
or with 3 friends or family members and then randomly assigned then to
a standard behavioral treatment (SBT) or SBT with social support
strategies. Participants recruited with friends had greater weight
losses at the end of the 4-month treatment and at Month 10 follow-up.
Both recruitment strategy and the social support manipulation affected
treatment completion and weight-loss maintenance. In those recruited
alone and given SBT, 76% completed treatment and 24% maintained their
weight loss in full from Months 4 to 10. Among those recruited with
friends and given SBT plus social support, 95% completed treatment and
66% maintained their weight loss in full."
http://content.apa.org/journals/ccp/67/1/132

Involving Support Partners in Obesity Treatment.
by Gorin, Amy; Phelan, Suzanne; Tate, Deborah; Sherwood, Nancy;
Jeffery, Robert; Wing, Rena
from Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 2005 Apr Vol 73(2) 341-343

?In this study, the authors examined whether the number or success of
weight loss partners influences participants' outcomes in behavioral
weight loss treatment. Overweight participants (n = 109) assigned to
an exercise intensive group in a larger trial were encouraged to
invite up to 3 partners to attend treatment. Weight losses at 6, 12,
and 18 months were not associated with the number of partners (0-3)
but were associated with the weight loss success of the partners.
Participants with at least 1 successful partner (weight loss ?10% at 6
months) lost significantly (p = .004) more weight at 6, 12, and 18
months than those with no successful partners and those without
partners. Interclass correlations of weight change between
participants and their partner(s) were strong at all time points (ps <
.01). Support partners appear to only be beneficial in obesity
treatment when partners themselves lose weight.?
http://content.apa.org/journals/ccp/73/2/341


Enhancing social support in weight loss management groups.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8068056&query_hl=11


A review: maximizing social support--a neglected strategy for
improving weight management with African-American women.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15132206&query_hl=11


SOCIAL NETWORKS

Generic Keywords: (What are these?) 
Obesity, Diet, Dieting, Portion control, Overweight, Wellness, Health,
Weight Loss, Weight management, Research, Reports

Publication Date: 01-APR-04
Format: PDF
Price: $800.00 
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
      

  
Description In Chapter V we investigate the relationship between
social networks and weight management. Importantly, we find that
informal social networks comprised of friends and family members
actually serve as an impediment to successful weight management
practices. By contrast, we note that formal, impersonal social
networks of the sort encountered in support groups serve to promote
weight management strategies.
 
http://hartman-group.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0244-461_ITM



BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION FOR OBESITY
http://www.endotext.org/obesity/obesity17/obesity17.htm

This is great, thanks.

I am going to post another question for you on research on compliance
with respect to meal plans and the specific recipes recommended.

Thank you for the five stars and nice tip!
--Bobbie7