@crisw that’s tantamount to saying that any weight loss program doesn’t work, which they clearly do…hundreds of thousands if not millions of people lose weight with weight watchers…and keep it off (granted some don’t) just like the hundreds and thousands of people that lose weight without it, some of which keep it off and some who put it back on. Putting weight back on is not the fault of the program it’s the fault of person.
I draw your attention to the conclusion, which states: ” With the exception of 1 trial of Weight Watchers, the evidence to support the use of the major commercial and self-help weight loss programs is suboptimal. Controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these interventions”
I would proffer that to make a carte blanche statement based on one research project that these plans don’t work is a big generalisation that doesn’t look at the psychological reasons why these program might not be as effective as they need to be…and in comparison with what exactly??
Some people need the discipline and support of programs like weight watchers even if that is at a cost. Weight watchers is a lot cheaper than some alternatives, Lighter Life, Liposuction, Slimfast…to name but a few…
And finally, I have lost 2 stone on the plan already and managed to keep it off so far with a little fluctuation which is better than how I did when I wasn’t attending meetings and getting weighed…when I put on 3 and half stone. So I beg to differ and the research article cited doesn’t convince me.