For Losing Weight, Commercial Programs Are Better and Cheaper Than Noncommercial Programs

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For Losing Weight, Commercial Programs Are Better and Cheaper Than Noncommercial ProgramsThe "power of the group" seems to sustain motivation.How do noncommercial weight-loss programs compare with commercial weight-loss programs? In an eight-arm randomized trial that involved 740 overweight or obese adults in the U.K., researchers compared the relative effectiveness of various 12-week programs: general practice one-to-one counseling, pharmacy one-to-one counseling, a group-based dietetics program, and three commercial programs (Rosemary Conley, Slimming World, and Weight Watchers). Participants in another group were allowed to choose among these six programs. Each participant in the control group

received 12 vouchers for free visits to a fitness center.All programs resulted in significant mean weight loss at 12 weeks (range, 1.4 kg for general practice to 4.4 kg for Weight Watchers). All programs, except general practice and pharmacy one-to-one counseling, resulted in significant weight loss at 1 year (range, 0.7–3.5 kg). Only the Weight Watchers group, however, experienced significantly greater mean weight loss at 1 year (2.5 kg) than the control group. Costs were highest for general practice and pharmacy counseling programs and lowest for the

commercial programs.Comment: In this trial, commercial weight-loss programs were cheaper and more effective (Weight Watchers was particularly effective) than noncommercial weight-loss programs. Editorialists speculate that commercial programs are effective because they provide intensive support (e.g., "the power of the group" in weekly sessions) and incentives, which sustain motivation and behavioral change. Notably, these results are similar to those of another trial in which Weight Watchers was superior to weight-loss advice provided by

primary care practices (JW Gen Med Sep 22 2011).— S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACPPublished in Journal Watch General MedicineDecember 15, 2011CITATION(S):Jolly K et al. 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 Nov 3;

343:d6500. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d6500)Original article (Subscription may be required)Medline abstract (Free) Regards, VergelPoWeRUSA.org