Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) applied in 12-week courses of overweight reduction (COR) of the STOB society is a component of a complex approach to the treatment of obesity in the Czech Republic. The objective of the present study was to verify the overall effectiveness of that therapy; it has been focused on the attaining and sustaining of weight losses and changes in habits related to having meals and to physical exercise in a times lapse of 2-7 years after finishing the course. The mean loss in weight under CBT was 6.4 kg, i.e. 7.4% of the participants' initial weight. Half of the participants of the course were successful in sustaining their weight loss. After 2-7 years the average weight loss equals almost 3% of the initial weight,40% of the participants remained at a 5% weight loss, 2/3 of the subjects weighed less than 2-7 years ago at the beginning of the course. Due to the course, 92% of the subjects under follow-up changed the composition of their food, of whom 85% have kept an appropriate diet to this day. A commensurate amount and food regimen: of the 94% of participants who adopted a lesser food intake, 61% are holding on to that habit, and of the 81% who adopted an appropriate meal regimen, 45% are holding on to it. A change in the menue is apparently a lesser problem than in changing the amount of food and its regimen. It does not deprive them of enjoying food, a better composition of the food benefits the organism whereby that change is then strengthened. 18% of the participants increased their regular physical exercise (the present 46% of participants against the 28% who had regular exercise already before the course). Adopting regular physical exercise in the obese is more difficult than changing their dietary habits. The results have revealed that courses in weight reduction are an important component of a complex approach to the treatment of obesity in the Czech Republic.

        Key words: cognitive-behavioral therapy - obesity - overweight - eating habits - change - physical exercise - group therapy - sustaining - weight loss.