The persistence of significant absolute weight loss at 24 weeks in our HPLC group but the convergence to non-significance by 36 weeks for both groups, is similar to observations in studies in adults in which long support has not been implemented s. Data from studies in both adults(10) and children(28) indicate better long-term maintenance of weight loss with continued support, especially for those who are severely obese(10), consistent with the concept of obesity as a chronic condition(26,29).