Effects of behavioral and pharmacological weight loss programs on nutrient intake.

Behavior therapy is a widely used method for short-term weight control. Formal nutrition counseling is not included in many behavioral programs. To determine what types of diets were self-selected by patients and to see how they compared with individuals participating in a relaxation group with anorectic medication, the eating diaries compiled by participants in such a program were analyzed for 20 different nutrients. In general, pretreatment intakes were nutritious and typical for Americans. Both the behavioral and a relaxation-medication treatment produced weight loss and reduction in calorie intake. Both treatments were associated with the consumption of a fairly nutritious diet not much different from the pretreatment intake except for a reduction in the amount eaten.