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.

Kristine Funk's study on Web-based weight loss management is published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.