Focusing on the immediate benefits of losing weight may help people stick to a weight-loss plan, according to the findings of a new study published in the August issue of the journal Work.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati studied 32 women enrolled in a 12-week weight-loss program. They collected baseline individual weight and musculoskeletal pain data related to nine body regions: neck, shoulders, elbows, hands and wrists, upper back, lower back, hips, knees and lower legs and feet. Participants were then tracked each week to record any weight loss and asked to rate their pain on a scale of zero to 10 every other week.

Their results indicate that even small weight loss can relieve pain and reduce the burden excessive weight puts on the musculoskeletal system. Losing just 10 pounds was associatd with significantly less pain in the lower extremities and back. Study participants also reported a 20 to 30 percent reduction in overall bodily pain after weight loss.

"By focusing on an immediate benefit that can be felt – like pain reduction – instead of the future health impact of obesity, weight loss programs may be able to inspire overweight individuals to lose weight," said study collaborator Susan Kotowski, Ph.D.

Long-term health consequences of obesity include increased risk for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and asthma.