Commercial weight loss programs in the management of obesity: an update.
Open accessAbstract
Purpose of review Comprehensive lifestyle programs are cornerstones of obesity management, but clinician referrals may be limited by program availability. Commercial weight loss programs may be an alternative, but clinicians may be unaware of their efficacy and safety. This review describes the evidence for commercial programs, particularly 12-month weight loss, among individuals with obesity.Recent findings Several programs are concordant with evidence-based recommendations (i.e., lower-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral strategies). Among the guideline-concordant programs, National Diabetes Prevention Program, WW, Jenny Craig, Medifast, and OPTIFAST have demonstrated 12-month weight loss efficacy and safety. While other programs show promise, more evidence is needed before clinician referral may be recommended. Clinical practice guidelines support referrals to commercial weight loss programs that have peer-reviewed evidence to support their efficacy and safety. Clinicians should consider the available evidence, patient preference, and cost when considering referrals to these programs for weight management.
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- Authors
- Laudenslager, M., Chaudhry, Z. W., Rajagopal, S., Clynes, S., & Gudzune, K. A.
- Affiliations
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Laudenslager, Marci
- Venue
- Current Obesity Reports
- Published
- 2021-02-20
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 90-99
- ISSN
- 2162-4968 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8159888
- OpenAlex
- W3133455239
- Cited by
- 25
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Current Obesity Reports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5t32hl007180-45)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (T32-HL-007180)
- National Institute of Mental Health (P50MH115842)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
- Keywords
- commercial weight loss programs, obesity treatment, lifestyle intervention, National Diabetes Prevention Program, Weight Watchers, OPTIFAST, clinician referral, hypocaloric diet, behavioral weight management
- MeSH terms
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Diet, Diet, Reducing, Humans, Life Style, Obesity, Referral and Consultation, Weight Loss, Exercise, Treatment Outcome, Weight Reduction Programs
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