Forget counting calories, new research has found losing weight is all in the mind.

An Otago University study has found 'non-dieting' interventions can be effective in reducing psychological distress and medical symptoms in women who are overweight.

Researcher Caroline Horwath says the new approach takes the focus off body weight and instead gets women to listen to their own body signals. She says it focuses on improving lifestyle behaviours to enhance health independently of weight loss.

Dr Horwath says the traditional dieting approach of limiting calories and food types has produced poor results in achieving long-term weight loss and many dieters end up heavier than when they began.

She says eating should be a natural activity related to hunger, rather than stress. Dr Horwath says relaxation techniques and avoiding stress-related triggers are also important strategies.