New York, Nov. 1 (Reuters): Having trouble sticking to your diet and exercise regimen?

Results of a new study suggest that telephone-based weight-loss counselling can help people shed pounds just as well as face-to-face counselling sessions. It’s also more convenient and less expensive.

Early results from a 26-week study show that overweight adults randomly assigned to weight-loss counselling by telephone lost almost as much weight as those receiving weight-loss services by going to meetings.

Subjects in the phone-based programme lost an average of 23 pounds over 12 weeks and 28 pounds over 26 weeks, while those attending the clinic-based programme lost 28 pounds in 12 weeks and no more by 26 weeks.

These results show “promise for weight loss interventions delivered entirely over the phone as a viable alternative to the usual clinic method,” Joe Donnelly, director of the center for physical activity and weight management at the University of Kansas, said.

Donnelly said there are many potential advantages to phone-based programmes ?they cost less and there is less conflict with commitments.

”Individuals also don't incur the time and expense of getting to and from the clinic,” he said.

For those providing the weight-loss services,“a phone-based program allows them to reduce their overhead expenses such as rent and utilities, which allows them to lower the cost of their services. Essentially the provider and participant can be located anywhere.”