Page 1 of 15 http://spider.apa.org/ftdocs/ccp/1997/april/ccp652278.html 10/12/2000 Effects of Group- Versus Home-Based Exercise in the Treatment of Obesity Michael G. Perri Department of Clinical and Health Psychology University of Florida A. Daniel Martin Department of Physical Therapy University of Florida Elizabeth A. Leermakers Department of Clinical and Health Psychology University of Florida Samuel F. Sears Department of Clinical and Health Psychology University of Florida Morris Notelovitz ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of 2 aerobic exercise regimens on exercise participation, fitness, eating patterns, treatment adherence, and weight change in 49 obese women undergoing a year-long behavioral weight loss program. Participants were assigned randomly to weight loss treatment plus either group- or home-based exercise. All participants were instructed to complete a moderate-intensity walking program (30 min/day, 5 days/week). Group exercise participants were provided with 3 supervised group exercise sessions per week for the first 26 weeks and with 2 sessions per week thereafter. Home exercise participants were instructed to complete all exercise in their home environment. After 6 months, both conditions displayed significant improvements in exercise participation, fitness, eating patterns, and weight loss. At 12 months, the home-based program showed superior performance to the group condition in exercise participation and treatment adherence; at 15 months, participants in the home program demonstrated significantly greater weight losses than those in the group program. This study was supported by a Research Development Award from the University of Florida Division of Sponsored Research. We appreciate the assistance of Nicole Engel, Tanya Mickler, Jennifer Oglesby, Judy Rudman, Beth Slomine, and Paula Zuffante, who served as group leaders. Correspondence may be addressed to Michael G. Perri, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100165, Gainesville, Florida, 32610-0165. Received: January 19, 1996 Revised: June 24, 1996 Accepted: August 20, 1996 In recent years, the potential contribution of exercise to the management of obesity has become increasingly apparent ( Blair, 1993 ; Bouchard, Despres, & Tremblay, 1993 ; Grilo, Brownell, & Stunkard, 1993 ; Pronk & Wing, 1994 ). Exercise produces physiological, behavioral, and psychological effects that may facilitate both weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss (for Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology © 1997 by the American Psychological Association April 1997 Vol. 65, No. 2, 278 -285 For personal use only--not for distribution.