One consideration is that obesity has a snowball effect. I think I remember reading once that the average annual weight gain at midlife is 3 pounds. So over

One consideration is that obesity has a snowball effect. I think I remember reading once that the average annual weight gain at midlife is 3 pounds. So over a 5-year period, those who made the attempt may have actually been down 15 pounds, plus the 3kg, from where they might have been if they'd continued on their trajectory.