While it appears that people following the Weight Watchers program lose more weight than they would on their own, the average weight loss was only six pounds in two years, according to research.
However, participants who attended at least 78 percent of the weekly meetings had more success, losing an average of 11 pounds after two years on the program.
The program consists of weekly meetings at which participants receive guidelines on exercise and healthy food choices. Researchers suggest that people who need to lose a lot of weight quickly due to medical reasons may not want to choose a Weight Watchers-type program.
The program did offer some benefit, though, as people in the program lost more weight than people who received similar information about diet and exercise on their own. The independent group lost an average of less than one-half pound after two years.
Further, some participants in the structured program lost a significant amount of weight, some as much as 50 pounds.
The study, which was funded by Weight Watchers, involved 423 men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 years. Participants were either given vouchers to attend Weight Watchers meetings or provided with two brief sessions with a nutritionist and left to lose weight on their own.
JAMA April 9, 2003;289:1792-1798,1833-1836
It is important to recognize that Weight Watchers funded this study so the results are likely to be at least partially biased in their favor. However, the study was able to pass the scrutiny of JAMA’s peer review, so that is commendable.
I am convinced that Weight Watchers is doing something right, at least in part. They certainly have a strong business model, but I believe the primary reason for their success is that they provide a strong social support structure for their customers, which can be a very helpful element of long-term weight loss success.
However, most of you also know that I am strongly opposed to most of Weight Watcher’s dietary recommendations. They may lead to modest weight loss in the short-term, but their dietary program is certainly not geared toward eating the foods that will also help you prevent disease and live longer. The No-Grain Diet, meanwhile, has produced outstanding clinical results--which is, of course, the reason I was asked to write the book for a mass audience in the first place--but the difference is, not only will people who need to optimize their weight do so, but:
1) An essential part of The No-Grain Diet's 3-phase plan involves addressing all of the emotional barriers that could otherwise prevent long-term success. 2) The No-Grain Diet plan will provide you a diet that will not only help you reach your ideal weight for good, but it is also a diet that will help you fight and prevent disease, increase your energy, and live longer as a result.
1) An essential part of The No-Grain Diet's 3-phase plan involves addressing all of the emotional barriers that could otherwise prevent long-term success.
2) The No-Grain Diet plan will provide you a diet that will not only help you reach your ideal weight for good, but it is also a diet that will help you fight and prevent disease, increase your energy, and live longer as a result.
It is my belief that if Weight Watchers integrated the No-Grain Diet principles into their support model, they would achieve far better results on all fronts. Who knows, maybe someday...