Efficacy of Commercial Weight-Loss Programs: An Updated Systematic Review

Gudzune, Kimberly A.; Doshi, Ruchi S.; Mehta, Ambereen K.; Chaudhry, Zoobia W.; Jacobs, David K.; Vakil, Rachit M.; Lee, Clare J.; Bleich, Sara N.; Clark, Jeanne M.

doi:10.7326/m14-2238

Cited by 325Pharmacology and Obesity TreatmentObesity, Physical Activity, DietDiet and metabolism studies

Efficacy of Commercial Weight-Loss Programs: An Updated Systematic Review

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Gudzune, Kimberly A., Doshi, Ruchi S., Mehta, Ambereen K., Chaudhry, Zoobia W., Jacobs, David K., Vakil, Rachit M., Lee, Clare J., Bleich, Sara N. +1 more·2015·Annals of Internal Medicine

DOI 10.7326/m14-2238PMC PMC4446719

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Commercial and proprietary weight-loss programs are popular obesity treatment options, but their efficacy is unclear. PURPOSE: To compare weight loss, adherence, and harms of commercial or proprietary weight-loss programs versus control/education (no intervention, printed materials only, health education curriculum, or <3 sessions with a provider) or behavioral counseling among overweight and obese adults. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception to November 2014; references identified by program staff. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) of at least 12 weeks' duration; prospective case series of at least 12 months' duration (harms only). DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers extracted information on study design, population characteristics, interventions, and mean percentage of weight change and assessed risk of bias. DATA SYNTHESIS: We included 45 studies, 39 of which were RCTs. At 12 months, Weight Watchers participants achieved at least 2.6% greater weight loss than those assigned to control/education. Jenny Craig resulted in at least 4.9% greater weight loss at 12 months than control/education and counseling. Nutrisystem resulted in at least 3.8% greater weight loss at 3 months than control/education and counseling. Very-low-calorie programs (Health Management Resources, Medifast, and OPTIFAST) resulted in at least 4.0% greater short-term weight loss than counseling, but some attenuation of effect occurred beyond 6 months when reported. Atkins resulted in 0.1% to 2.9% greater weight loss at 12 months than counseling. Results for SlimFast were mixed. We found limited evidence to evaluate adherence or harms for all programs and weight outcomes for other commercial programs. LIMITATION: Many trials were short (<12 months), had high attrition, and lacked blinding. CONCLUSION: Clinicians could consider referring overweight or obese patients to Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. Other popular programs, such as Nutrisystem, show promising weight-loss results; however, additional studies evaluating long-term outcomes are needed. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None. ( PROSPERO: CRD4201-4007155).

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Authors: Gudzune, K. A., Doshi, R. S., Mehta, A. K., Chaudhry, Z. W., Jacobs, D. K., Vakil, R. M., Lee, C. J., Bleich, S. N., & Clark, J. M.
Affiliations: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
ORCID: Gudzune, Kimberly A.
Doshi, Ruchi S.
Mehta, Ambereen K.
Chaudhry, Zoobia W.
Vakil, Rachit M.
Lee, Clare J.
Bleich, Sara N.
Clark, Jeanne M.
Venue: Annals of Internal Medicine
Publisher: American College of Physicians
Published: 2015-04-07
Volume: 162
Issue: 7
Pages: 501-512
ISSN: 0003-4819 (ISSN-L)
1539-3704
DOI: 10.7326/m14-2238
PMC: PMC4446719
OpenAlex: W2043731116
Cited by: 325
References: 80
Citations by year: 2026: 15 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 15
FWCI: 4.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Locations: Annals of Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health (KL2TR001077, TL1TR001078)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K23HL116601, K01HL096409)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK079637)
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
Keywords: commercial weight loss programs, obesity treatment, weight loss, Weight Watchers, very low calorie diet, Atkins diet, program adherence, overweight adults
MeSH terms: Counseling, Diet, Reducing, Humans, Obesity, Patient Compliance, Patient Education as Topic, Weight Loss, Treatment Outcome, Caloric Restriction

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Efficacy of Commercial Weight-Loss Programs: An Updated Systematic Review

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