The study shows that the World Wide Web can be very beneficial to weight loss.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine studied overweight patients with high blood glucose levels. Everyone in the study used a password protected Web site where they were able to chart their weight, make daily entries about what they eat and receive messages from a registered dietician and other diet resources.

Participants were required to log on to the site at least five times a week.

"The dietician would look at what you've eaten and give you responses," participant Jimmy Poisso said. "(They would say) 'Hey, that was great, but you didn't eat all your starches.' Or, 'You didn't eat all your fruits and vegetables.' Or, 'You ate too much meat today.'"

After six weeks, the average weight loss was six pounds. There were also significant reductions in LDL or "bad" cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose levels.

The most important finding, however, may have that people liked dieting via the computer.

"In the words of the patients, 'It kept them focused.'" Baylor dietician Lynne Scott said. "We were always there on the Internet, and they could ask us questions 24 hours a day."

The participants' success was still evident after 30 weeks. They lost an average of 18 pounds, lowered their blood sugar by 20 percent and their triglycerides by 23 percent.

If you would like to know more about the Internet diet study, call (713) 798-4431 or log onto www.livingheart.com.