Commercial slimming programmes like Weight Watchers yield much greater success and are cheaper than programmes run by primary care trusts, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Researchers at the University of Birmingham monitored overweight and obese men and women who were enrolled in 12 week slimming programmes at Weight Watchers, Slimming World, Rosemary Conley, primary care programmes, GP one-to-one counselling and pharmacy one-to-one counselling.
A control group were also given free vouchers to use in local fitness centres.
Over the course of a year participants in all programmes had lost weight. However, those on the Weight Watchers programmes lost an average of 9.7 lbs whilst those in GP counselling only lost an average of 3.1 lbs.
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Across all groups there was an increase in physical activity but those enrolled in GP counselling registered the smallest increase. Researchers also noted that Weight Watchers participants had the highest attendance rates whilst the primary care programmes had the lowest.
The study authors wrote: “Commercially provided weight-management services are more effective and cheaper than primary care-based services led by specially trained staff, which are ineffective.”
Commenting on the study in a BMJ editorial, Professor Helen Truby said: “It is no wonder the commercial slimming industry is booming…It could be argued that either a lot of people are trying to lose weight unsuccessfully or that without the contribution of the commercial sector the obesity crisis would be worse.”
