"Weight loss is typically accomplished through changes in diet and exercise. But a new study sheds light on some other factors that can help an individual achieve success. Getting a healthy amount of sleep avoiding stress and complying with specific elements of a weightloss plan such as keeping a food diary seem to boost the odds of success according to a new study. The study conducted by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland Ore. involved nearly  adults who had an average body mass index of .  or greater is considered obese. The participants whose average age was  were instructed to attend  group counseling sessions over  weeks reduce dietary intake by  calories a day by following a lowfat lowsugar diet and increase exercise to at least  minutes a week. After six months  of the participants had lost at least  pounds and were enrolled in a maintenance phase of the study. Researchers found that the people who lost at least  pounds had some common characteristics. They were more likely to attend their counseling sessions keep food diaries and exercise. But coming into the study the successful dieters were more likely to report that they slept between six and eight hours each night. People who had lower stress scores coming into the study were also able to lose more weight.   People who need to lose weight should consider changes in their sleep patterns and exposure to stress the study authors said. ... if stress becomes chronic and eating is learned to be an effective coping behavior highly palatable food may appear to be addictive  they wrote. The study did not find that screen time was linked to weight loss. But TV watching may have a different effect on weight loss than time spent on computers at work the researchers said. The study is published in the International Journal of Obesity http Related Obese and overweight women and children may underestimate how heavy they are. http Return to Booster Shots blog http"