Table 1.
Sample characteristics of studies on commercial weight loss programs.
| Study | Description | Selection criteria | Recruited sample | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age∗ | BMI | Age | % male | BMI∗ | ||
| Weight Watchers (WW) | ||||||
| Ahern et al. [11] | NHS referral to 12 meetings 4/2/07–10/6/09 (N = 29,326) | Adult | 49 (17) | 10 | 35.1 (5.7) | |
| Ahern et al. [31] | RT of 12 wk WW vs. self-help. 3 mo and 12 mo endpoints. | >18 | ≥28 | 53.6 (13.3) | 32 | 34.7 (5.4) |
| Ahern et al. [31] | RT 52 of wk WW (N = 528) vs. self-help | ≥18 | ≥28 | 53.3 (14.0) | 32 | 34.5 (5.1) |
| Aston et al. [32] | NHS referral 6/28/05 to 5/30/07 (N = 967) | 16–81 | ≥30 | 49.4 (8.5) | 12.3 | 35.2 (6.4) |
| Baetge et al. [33] | RT of WW (N = 29) vs. others. 12 wk. | 18–69 | 27–50 | 48 (11) | 0 | 34 (6) |
| Dansinger et al. [34] | RT of WW (N = 40) vs. others | 22–72 | 27–42 | 49 (10) | 42 | 35 (3.8) |
| Dixon et al. [12] | North Somerset NHS referral 12/01/07–5/31/10 (N = 414) 12 wk. | ≥16 | ≥30 | 46.8 (15.0) | 11.5 | 37.9 (6.2) |
| Heshka et al. [35] | RT of WW (N = 211) vs. self-help. 26 wk | 18–65 | 27–40 | 45 (10) | 18 | 33.8 (3.4) |
| Heshka et al. [8] | RT of WW (N = 211) vs. self-help. 1 and 2 yr results | 18–65 | 27–40 | 45 (10) | 18 | 33.8 (3.4) |
| Jebb et al. [6] | RT of WW (N = 377) vs. standard care | ≥18 | 27–35 | 46.5 (13.5) | 12 | 31.5 (2.6) |
| Johnston et al. [36] | RT of WW (N = 147) vs. self-help | ≥18 | 27–40 | 47.5 (11.7) | 10.9 | 33.1 (3.7) |
| Jolly et al. [37] | RT of WW (N = 100) vs. other after 12 wk | ≥18 | ≥30 | 50.7 (14.6) | 28 | 34.0 (3.9) |
| Luszczynska et al. [38] | RT of WW (N = 55) assigned to implementation intention prompts or control. | 18–76 | 25.3–48.3 | 44.0 (14.0) | 0 | 33.4 (6.5) |
| Madigan et al. [13] | South Birmingham NHS referral 5/01/09–3/31/10 (N = 1366) for 13 wk | ≥18 | ≥28 | 48.9 (15.2) | 12.2 | 35.2 (5.8) |
| Marrero et al. [39] | RT of WW (N = 112) vs. diabetes prevention program | ≥18 | ≥24 | 51.5 (11.5) | 17 | 36.9 (7.3) |
| Mitchell et al. [14] | Tennessee Medicaid WW referrals in 2006 (N = 1192) | ≥10 | Mostly > 30 | 34.9 | 3.6 | 39.6 |
| O'Neil et al. [40] | RT to two methods for calculating and limiting food intake (N = 111) | 25–65 | 27–35 | 49.7 (10.9) | 10.8 | 31.5 (2.2) |
| Pinto et al. [41] | RT of WW (N = 49) vs. behavioral intervention. 48 wk | 30–65 | 27–50 | 49.0 (9.2) | 10.2 | 35.5 (5.3) |
| Truby et al. [42] | RT of WW (N = 58), vs. other | 18–65 | 27–40 | 39.9 (10.9) | 27.6 | 31.2 (2.7) |
|
| ||||||
| Slimming World (SW) | ||||||
| Avery et al. [15] | Enrolled 1/1/2012–3/31/2012 (N = 24,447) for ≥1 year | ≥18 | ≥30 | 47.6 (13.7) | 8.3 | 37.1 (5.9) |
| Avery and Morris [16] | Referred to SW by general practitioner (N = 5482) | ≥18 | ≥25 | 48.8 (14.7) | 13.2 | 37.3 (6.4) |
| Avery et al. [16] | Referred to SW by Healthy Living Pharmacy (N = 1020) | ≥18 | ≥25 | 43.5 (13.9) | 8.9 | 35.1 (6.3) |
| Aveyard et al. [43] | RT of primarily SW (N = 940) vs. advice only. | ≥18 | Mostly ≥30 | 56 | 42.7 | 34.8 (4.6) |
| Bye et al. [17] | 7 of 13 men-only groups opened 6–9 mo (N = 67). | 29–71 | 27.9–53.6 | 47 | 100 | 35.9 |
| Dixon et al. [12] | North Somerset NHS referral 12/01/07–5/31/10 (N = 450) | ≥16 | ≥30 | 47.7 (14.5) | 16.8 | 37.7 (5.8) |
| Jolly et al. [37] | RT of SW (N = 100) vs. other after 12 wk | ≥18 | ≥30 | 48.8 (14.9) | 35 | 33.8 (3.8) |
| Lavin et al. [18] | General practice patients (N = 107) | 23–78 | 30–47 | 49.5 | 11 | 36 |
| Lloyd and Khan [19] | Dorset, UK referrals from 10/1/08–9/30/09 (N = 2456) | >18 | ≥28 | 51.1 (15.0) | 13 | 36.8 (6.3) |
| Madigan et al. [13] | South Birmingham Primary Care Trust NHS referral 5/01/09–3/31/10 (N = 921) for 13 wk | ≥18 | ≥28 | 49.6 (14.5) | 13.4 | 35.7 (6.1) |
| Stubbs et al. [20] | Primary Care Trust referral from 5/1/2004–11/30/2009 (N = 34,271) | ≥16 | Mostly ≥30 | 47.3 (14.4) | 10.7 | 36.8 (6.5) |
| Stubbs et al. [21] | NHS 24 wk referrals 5/1/2004–11/30/2009 (N = 4754) | ≥16 | Mostly ≥30 | 49.8 (14.3) | 12.1 | 37.9 (6.7) |
| Stubbs et al. [22] | Self-referred patients 1/1/2010–4/30/2012 (N = 1,356,105) | 19–79 | 20–90 | 42.3 (13.6) | 5 | 32.6 (6.3) |
|
| ||||||
| Rosemary Conley (RC) | ||||||
| Dixon et al. [12] | North Somerset NHS referrals 12/01/07–5/31/10 (N = 143) | ≥16 | ≥30 | 46.7 (13.5) | 11.2 | 37.6 (5.7) |
| Jolly et al. [37] | RT of RC (N = 100) vs. other after 12 weeks | ≥18 | ≥30 | 49.8 (14.5) | 31 | 33.4 (3.5) |
| Madigan et al. [13] | South Birmingham NHS referrals 5/01/09–3/31/10 (N = 791) for 13 weeks | ≥18 | ≥28 | 50.1 (14.4) | 11.5 | 34.3 (5.1) |
| Truby et al. [42] | RT of RC (N = 58) vs. other | 18–65 | 27–40 | 40.6 (10.3) | 27.6 | 31.6 (2.6) |
|
| ||||||
| Biggest losers club | ||||||
| Collins et al. [44] | RT of basic website (N = 99) vs. control. at 12 wk | 18–60 | 25–40 | 42.0 (10.9) | 41 | 32.3 (3.6) |
| Collins et al. [44] | RT of enhanced website (N = 106) vs. control at 12 wk | 18–60 | 25–40 | 42.2 (10.2) | 42 | 32.3 (4.3) |
| Collins et al. [45] | RT of basic website (N = 143) vs. others at 24 wk | 18–60 | 25–40 | 41.9 (10.1) | 47.2 | 32.2 (3.7) |
| Collins et al. [45] | RT of enhanced website (N = 158) vs. others. 24 wk | 18–60 | 25–40 | 42.0 (10.3) | 52.8 | 32.2 (4.1) |
| Hutchesson et al. [25] | Regular subscribers 6/1/2011–10/24/2011 (N = 953) | >18.5 | 36.5 (10.7) | 14.8 | 33.0 (7.1) | |
| Hutchesson et al. [25] | Fast-track subscribers 6/1/2011–10/24/2011 (N = 381) | >18.5 | 37.1 (9.1) | 12.3 | 30.6 (6.5) | |
|
| ||||||
| eDiet | ||||||
| Gold et al. [46] | RT of E-diet (N = 62) vs. others | >18 | 25–40 | 48.9 (9.9) | 15 | 32.5 (4.2) |
| Womble et al. [47] | RT of E-diet (N = 23) vs. others | 18–65 | 27–40 | 44.2 (9.3) | 0 | 33.9 (3.2) |
|
| ||||||
| Jenny Craig (JC) | ||||||
| Baetge et al. [33] | RT of JC (N = 27) vs. other | 18–69 | 27–50 | 46 (12) | 0 | 35 (5) |
| Finley et al. [23] | Platinum JC enrollees between May 2001 and May 2002 (N = 60,154) | 18–79 | 43.2 | 8 | 89.9 kg | |
| Martin et al. [24] | Platinum JC enrollees 5/1/2001–5/1/2002 (N = 60,164) | 18–75 | 43.2 | 8 | 89.9 kg | |
| Martin et al. [24] | Improved JC program 1/1/2005–12/31/2005 (N = 81,505) | 18–75 | 43.7 | 10.3 | 92.2 kg | |
| Rock et al. [48] | RT of JC (N = 35) vs. control | ≥18 | 25–40 | 42 (11) | 0 | 34.2 (3.7) |
| Rock et al. [49] | RT of JC with center nutritional counseling (N = 167) vs. others | 18–69 | 25–40 | 44 (10) | 0 | 33.8 |
| Rock et al. [49] | RT of JC with telephone nutritional counseling (N = 164) vs. others | 18–69 | 25–40 | 44 (10) | 0 | 33.8 |
| Rock et al. [50] | RT of low-fat JC version (N = 74) vs. control in type 2 diabetics | ≥18 | 25–45 | 55.5 (9.2) | 52.7 | 36.2 (4.3) |
| Rock et al. [50] | RT of low-carbohydrate JC version (N = 77) vs. control in type 2 diabetics | ≥18 | 25–45 | 57.3 (8.6) | 52 | 36.2 (4.7) |
|
| ||||||
| Itrim | ||||||
| Hemmingsson et al. [26] | Meal replacement Itrim enrollees 1/1/2006–5/31/2009 (N = 4588) | 50 (11) | 14 | 30 (4) | ||
| Hemmingsson et al. [26] | Restricted calorie Itrim enrollees 1/1/2006–5/31/2009 (N = 676) | 51 (12) | 19 | 29 (5) | ||
|
| ||||||
| Nutrisystem | ||||||
| Baetge et al. [33] | RT to Nutrisystems (N = 28) vs. other | 18–69 | 27–50 | 46 (12) | 0 | 37 (5) |
| Cook et al. [9] | RT of Nutrisystems (N = 38) vs. self-directed | 18–70 | 25–45 | 51.5 (10.9) | 21.1 | 33.5 (4.5) |
| Fabricatore et al. [51] | Enrollees 1/1/2008–12/31/2010 w 3 mo data (N = 103,693) | All | >25 | 46.9 (12.4) | 30.2 | 34.3 (6.6) |
| Fabricatore et al. [51] | Enrollees 1/1/2008–12/31/2010 w 6 mo data (N = 32,280) | All | >25 | 48.3 (12.4) | 28.8 | 35.0 (6.9) |
| Foster et al. [52] | RT of Nutrisystems (N = 35) vs. education in type 2 diabetics | 21–75 | 30–50 | 52.1 (7.7) | 25.7 | 39.1 (5.5) |
| Figueroa et al. [53] | RT of Nutrisystems (N = 13) vs. exercise or Nutrisystems plus exercise | Postmenopause | ≥25 | 54.1 (6) | 0 | 34.8 (4.3) |
|
| ||||||
| Metabolic Balance Nutrition Program | ||||||
| Meffert and Gerdes [27] | Prospective cohort (N = 524) | 19–81 | 50 (12.0) | 15.9 | 30.3 (5.7) | |
|
| ||||||
| Medifast | ||||||
| Coleman et al. [28] | 3-center retrospective chart review of 5&1 plan from 2007–2010 (N = 446) | 18–70 | ≥25 | 47 (10.1) | 13.5 | 34.3 (6.2) |
| Coleman et al. [29] | 21-center retrospective chart review of 4&2&1 plan from 1/1/2012–3/31/2014 (N = 310) | ≥18 | ≥25 | 53.5 (14.7) | 42.9 | 37.7 (6.8) |
| Davis et al. [54] | RT of 5&1 plan (N = 45) vs. self-selected isocaloric plan | 18–65 | 30–50 | 43.0 (10.2) | 33.3 | 38.5 (6.8) |
| Moldovan et al. [55] | RT of 5&1 plan alone (N = 38) vs. with phentermine. | 35–70 | 35–50 | 48.4 (9.4) | 23.7 | 42.7 (8.7) |
| Shikany et al. [56] | RT of 5&1 plan (N = 60) vs. calorie restriction | 19–65 | 35–50 | 40.2 (9.2) | 13.3 | 40.4 (3.8) |
|
| ||||||
| Health Management Resources (HMR) | ||||||
| Anderson et al. [57] | RT of HMR (N = 22) vs. controls | 20–65 | 30–39.9 | 50.5 (7.3) | 22.7 | 35.8 (3.2) |
| Donnelly et al. [58] | RT of HMR with phone support (N = 25) vs. control | 53 | 36 | 34.6 | ||
| Donnelly et al. [58] | RT of HMR with clinic support (N = 27) vs. control | 52 | 37 | 32.8 | ||
| Furlow and Anderson [30] | Medically supervised HMR in consecutive patients (N = 117). | ≥30 | 48.3 (11.9) | 32 | 41.6 (9.7) | |
| Furlow and Anderson [30] | Healthy Solutions HMR program in consecutive patients (N = 56). | ≥30 | 47.9 (13.5) | 37 | 38.0 (6.7) | |
| Smith et al. [59] | RT of HMR with no weekly support (N = 28) vs. control | 19–70 | 25–40 | 44.6 (10.4) | 25 | 34.6 (3.8) |
| Smith et al. [59] | RT of HMR with limited weekly support (N = 28) vs. control | 19–70 | 25–40 | 46.9 (12.1) | 23 | 32.7 (4.4) |
|
| ||||||
| Diet Chef | ||||||
| Mellor et al. [60] | RT of Diet Chef (N = 56) vs. self-directed diet (N = 58) | 30–70 | 27–35 | 45.1 (9.7) | 27 | 31.6 (2.4) |
Abbreviations: HMR: Health Management Resources; JC: Jenny Craig; NHS: National Health Service; RC: Rosemary Conley; RT: randomized trial; SW: Slimming World; and WW: Weight Watchers. ∗Mean (standard deviation).