Workout with a partner to lose weight

lose weightIt is a well established fact that the support of a family member or friend greatly helps in generating good results. Recent study has shown working out with a partner can help in shedding extra pounds.

Professor Shiriki Kumanyika and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia analyzed data collected from 344 African-American men and women during two
-year study period. Out of these, 281 were enrolled with a friend or a family member and 63 enrolled individually.

During the weight loss programme, study subjects were given counseling on the importance of a healthy diet, physical activity along with exercise sessions. The study subjects were also given pedometers.

Study subjects were randomly divided into three groups. First group was trained alone. The second group comprised of people who had partner and were also given high support and coaching. The third groups comprised of people who had a partner but were given low support and coaching.

The performance of study subjects was measured at intervals of six, 12, 18 and 24 months. Data analysis revealed that study subjects who had partner and were given high-support had lost 2.4 kilograms (5.3 pounds) as compared to other study subjects.

Professor Shiriki Kumanyika said, “We evaluated family and friend social support as a specific cultural adaptation strategy. Beneficial effects on weight loss were linked to actual rather than assigned partner participation and to partner success in losing weight.”