Weight Watchers caused an average weight loss of 7.7 lbs in one year

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Monday, November 28, 2011 11:14 am Email this article
People assigned to Weight Watchers lost an average of 7.7 lbs after one year according to a study from the UK.

Subjects

Subjects: 740 obese or overweight men and women

The study involved 740 obese or overweight men and women “with a comorbid disorder identified from general practice records”, meaning that these people had some obesity-induced medical condition such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, sleep apnea, etc.

 

Description of Weight Watchers

Description of Weight Watchers

Here is a description of Weight Watchers as described in the paper.

“Weight Watchers is group based, and the participant was able to join at any time. One to one support is available for new members and during weighing. This is followed by a group talk from the leader, with discussion. Meetings took place in community venues and lasted one hour. Core programme material delivered over five weeks included a food points system (based on age, sex, height, weight, and activity), beating hunger, taking more physical activity, eating out, and keeping motivated. Other sessions delivered to the whole group covered recipes, health and nutrition, and keeping active. The plan aims for 500 [calorie] deficit/day, leading to 0.5-1.0 kg [1-2 lbs] weight loss a week. Physical activity is encouraged; the objective is to gradually build up to 10,000 steps daily. Predominant strategies used to change behaviour included stages of change, food and activity diaries, goal setting, and evaluation of progress. Rewards are given for every 3.2 kg (7 lbs) lost and for loss of 5% and 10% of body weight.”

REFERENCE

Jolly K, Lewis A, Beach J, Denley J, Adab P, Deeks J, Daley A, Aveyard P. Comparison of range of commercial or primary care led weight reduction programmes with minimal intervention control for weight loss in obesity: Lighten up randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2011, 343:d6500.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.

 

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