CLEVELAND -- People who participated in the Cleveland Clinic’s go!FIT Greater Cleveland Challenge lost a combined 27,500 pounds.

Almost 6,000 participants—5,931 to be exact—completed the three-month program, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Of those who completed the program, the total weight loss was 22,307 pounds, an average of 3.76 pounds per participant.

The campaign was a joint effort on the part of the Cleveland Clinic, Curves clubs in the area and the Greater Cleveland YMCA. A total of 14,303 people enrolled in the program from the more than 25,000 who registered online. Of the enrollees, 9,068 attended the Y, and 5,235 attended a Curves club.

The program generated 251,061 visits to a Curves or a Y from residents of Cleveland and the surrounding county. The average number of visits per participant was more than 21.

Of all the participants, 71.2 percent lost weight, 21.6 percent gained weight and 7.2 percent maintained weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There were statistically significant improvements in average self-esteem and the consumption of fruits and vegetables and high-fiber foods from the participants, the clinic added.

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