VOA标准英语2010年-Website Helps Dieters Keep Kilos Off

A new study indicates the Internet can help dieters keep the weight off.

For many people trying to shed a few kilograms, it's hard enough to lose the weight, but many experts say it's even harder to keep the weight off. Now, a new study indicates that the Internet can help.
 
People in the study had already lost an average of nine kilos. The challenge they faced was maintaining their new weight.

To test various strategies, researchers randomly¹ assigned participants to one of three groups. Some were told to meet with a counselor² once a month. Another group was asked to try a weight management website. People in the third group were on their own.

Those who got personal counseling did the best, regaining³ about four kilos. The website users regained⁴ about five point two kilos - overall, not much better than the control group, which had no structured weight maintenance program.

But study author Kristine Funk, a dietitian⁵ and researcher at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research says those averages mask significant differences within the group of website users. She says the online tool was very effective for those who used it at least once a month.

"The participants in the consistent use category regained 56 percent of the amount they had lost, whereas the participants who used the website minimally⁶ regained nearly all their weight," she said. "So the tool here does help participants, if they use it."

Users visiting the website created for this study were asked to enter their weight, the food they'd eaten, and their physical activity. The website followed their progress, provided tips and encouragement, and offered bulletin boards where users could compare notes and motivate each Funk says it's not the same as one-on-one counseling, but she points out that the personal approach may not always be possible or convenient.

"Partly because, while personal counseling and a personal coach might be the Cadillac version of weight loss maintenance, it may not be practical for all people after they've lost weight, whereas if an Internet website can prove to be helpful, something like an Internet website is available.

She also says that, when the upfront costs of developing a website like that are spread over a lot of participants, the web approach would likely be cheaper than individual counseling.
 

1 randomly   

adv.随便地，未加计划地

参考例句：

• Within the hot gas chamber, molecules are moving randomly in all directions. 在灼热的气体燃烧室内，分子在各个方向上作无规运动。 来自辞典例句
• Transformed cells are loosely attached, rounded and randomly oriented. 转化细胞则不大贴壁、圆缩并呈杂乱分布。 来自辞典例句

2 counselor   

n.顾问，法律顾问

参考例句：

• The counselor gave us some disinterested advice.顾问给了我们一些无私的忠告。
• Chinese commercial counselor's office in foreign countries.中国驻国外商务参赞处。

3 regaining   

复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地

参考例句：

• She was regaining consciousness now, but the fear was coming with her. 现在她正在恢发她的知觉，但是恐怖也就伴随着来了。
• She said briefly, regaining her will with a click. 她干脆地答道，又马上重新振作起精神来。

4 regained   

复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地

参考例句：

• The majority of the people in the world have regained their liberty. 世界上大多数人已重获自由。
• She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise. 她犹豫片刻，但很快恢复了镇静。

5 dietitian   

n.营养学家

参考例句：

• You can seek the advice of a nutritionist or dietitian.你可以征求营养师或饮食专家的意见。
• I have no doubt she would make a good dietitian.毫无疑问她会成为优秀的营养学家。

6 minimally   

最低限度地，最低程度地

参考例句：

• Food spoilage problems occur with minimally processed, concentrated frozen citrus products. 食品的变质也发生在轻微加工的、浓缩冷冻的柑橘制品中。
• So, minimally, they are responsible for such actions and omissions. 所以，至少来说，他们要对这样的行为和忽略负责。