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

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 Watche…