A commercial weight loss plan has demonstrated twice the success rate in achieving weight loss over physician-directed weight loss treatment alone, so says a study published today in the British medical journal, The Lancet.
A number of studies have been undertaken to aid in determining methods to successfully deal with the present burgeoning and projected overweight and obese populations in developed countries. In addition, many of the studies' results will be presented during the United Nations' summit on non-communicable diseases that begins September 19.
The summit meetings are being held so that professionals in health, medicine and science from around the world can discuss issues relating to such chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes--both conditions whose risk factors include obesity and lack of adequate physical activity. Concerned health professionals are looking for guidance in the development of strategies to turn around the obesity epidemic.
Weight Watchers funded the study to determine which methods of weight loss proved to be the most effective--standard care through a health care provider or a commercial weight loss program. The Commercial weight loss program utilized in the study was that of Weight Watchers. Over 750 study participants from Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany took part in the randomized control trial that lasted for a period of 12 months. Over 400 of the participants completed the 12-month assessment and there were no adverse events for either group.
The group that received standard weight loss care for the period lost a mean value of 4.96 pounds (2.25 kg), while the Weight Watchers group lost a mean value of 11.15 pounds (5.06 kg). Participants in the commercial weight loss program paid no fees for the program itself during the study period.
Whether the U.N. NCD summit makes a recommendation toward the use of commercial weight loss programs to reduce obesity or not, baby boomers may find this study's conclusion bears some thought on their part for action. By 2030, when the youngest of the boomer generation reaches retirement age, 1 in 3 of them will be obese. One in 4 baby boomers will have diabetes and over half of the 78 million strong population with have two or more chronic diseases if the current situation doesn't change.
Smack dab in the middle of the baby boomer generation, L.L. Woodard is a proud resident of "The Red Man" state. With what he hopes is an everyman's view of life's concerns both in his state and throughout the nation, Woodard presents facts and opinions based on common-sense solutions.
