Effectiveness of Registered Dietitian-Guided Weight Loss Over the Phone and Internet By: Laura Johnston, MEd, RD A recent clinical study supports Internet based programs and phone-based dietitian support as an effective way of losing weight. Over 300 people aged 25-60 with body mass indexes of 30-40kg/m2 participated in an Internet-based weight loss program and were followed over six months. The program included a reduced calorie diet, exercise, goal setting, and the use of the medication sibutramine. Those in the self help group lost on average 5.2% of their original body weight. The group with email support from a registered dietitian showed slightly more weight loss at 5.9%. The group with frequent dietitian phone support showed significantly more weight loss at 7.7%. Finally, the group with frequent face-to-face visits with a dietitian produced an 8.9% weight loss. Those who logged on to the web site (This is the intent of Personal Diets “Right-on-Tracker logging program) more often reported the most weight loss.  The less often participants logged on to the website, the more calories they reported eating in a day.  The full details of this study can be found in the February 2009 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Face to face visits with a dietitian are not always an option due to the cost of visits and scheduling barriers. A dietitian’s support over the phone or via email provides the lifestyle coaching that is lacking through a self-help method. This includes talking to a person with a college education in nutrition science who can address individual health needs. Your Registered Dietitian will be interested in your long-term health status and can make recommendations based on your personal challenges. Fortunately for those with access to the Internet, PersonalDiets is a nutritionally sound, affordable program with phone and email counseling available from a Registered Dietitian. Let us help you achieve your healthy weight. We will guide you in a realistic amount of time and give you a healthy eating plan you can take with you for the rest of your life.