Pilot evaluation of a personalized commercial program on weight loss, health outcomes, and quality of life.

WW is a validated behavioral weight management program that encourages healthy habits. WW developed a method of personalizing the SmartPoints® budget depending on dietary and lifestyle preferences, and participants were placed into one of three plans as a pilot evaluation of this new program. In this 6-month, single-arm pilot study, participants attended weekly workshops and used an app to monitor eating and physical activity. Baseline and 6-month assessments included weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, energy intake, cravings, happiness, health-related quality of life, hunger, and fullness. Of 145 adults assessed at baseline, 126 (87%) provided follow-up data. Pre-post changes showed significant reductions in body weight (7.39% ± 5.93%), calories consumed (24.79% ± 32.35%) and significant improvements in cravings, happiness, all SF-36 scales and hunger but not in fullness. Greater % weight loss was related to greater improvements in happiness (r = .38, p < .001), general health perceptions (r = .29, p = .001), and health change (r = .31, p = .001), and greater reduction in role limitations due to personal or emotional problems (r = .24, p = .01). Greater % reduction in caloric intake was associated with greater reductions in cravings (r = .23, p = .01), as well as with greater improvements in happiness (r = .23, p = .01), physical functioning (r = .23, p = .01), and general health perceptions (r = .23, p = .01). Participants in this modified program achieved significant weight loss, regardless of dietary plan, as well as improvements in a variety of other physical and psychological constructs. Those who achieved greater reductions in weight also reported greater improvements in cravings, happiness and some quality of life measures.

Financial implications of New York City's weight management initiative.

PURPOSE: To estimate potential annual savings in medical expenditures from a subsidized weight management program from the NYC Government perspective. DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. SETTING: Employees of New York City (NYC) government and enrolled dependents. SAMPLE: 14,946 participants with overweight and obesity. INTERVENTION: WW (formerly Weight Watchers®) 'Workshop' and 'Digital' programs. MEASURES: Participation rate, enrollment duration, weight change, and predicted gross and net total and per capita medical expenditure savings and return on investment (ROI). ANALYSIS: Participation rate, enrollment duration, weight change, and program costs are based on direct observation. Predicted savings are simulated based on published data relating weight loss to medical expenditure reductions. RESULTS: In total, 47% of participating employees and 50% of participating dependents lost weight during the enrollment period. Mean (median) enrollment duration for employees was 7.1 months (7.0) and for dependents was 6.9 months (6.0). Mean (median) weight losses for the employees in 'Workshops' and 'Digital' was 6.6 lbs (2.80) and 6.3 lbs (0.0). For dependents, weight losses were 7.4 lbs (3.59) and 11.6 lbs (2.0). Per capita and total predicted net savings to NYC Government from employees was estimated to be $120 and $1,486,102 for an ROI of 143%. Including dependents, predicted net savings increases to $1,963,431 for an ROI of 189%. Over 80% of savings came from participants in the Obese III category. CONCLUSION: An evidence-based weight management program has the potential to generate a positive ROI for employers. Future studies should validate these estimates using actual data and more rigorous designs.

Examination of a partial dietary self-monitoring approach for behavioral weight management.

INTRODUCTION: Dietary self-monitoring in behavioral weight loss programmes traditionally involves keeping track of all foods and beverages to achieve a calorie deficit. While effective, adherence declines over time. WW™ (formerly Weight Watchers), a widely available commercial weight management programme, sought to pilot an approach that permitted participants to consume over 200 foods without monitoring them. METHODS: The current study used a pre-post evaluation design with anthropometric, psychosocial and physical health assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Participants (N = 152) were, on average, 48.4 (±12.3) years old, with body mass index (BMI) of 32.8 (±4.8) m/kg2 and 94% female. Mean weight loss was 6.97 + 5.55 kg or 7.9 ± 6.1% of initial body weight (ps < .0001) at 6 months. One third (32.6%) of the sample lost 10% or more of initial body weight. Significant improvements in hunger, cravings, happiness, sleep, quality of life, aerobic stamina, flexibility and blood pressure were observed. Attendance at group meetings, as well as decreases in hunger, and fast food cravings from baseline to 3 months were associated with achieving 10% weight loss at 6 months (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Using an approach that does not require self-monitoring of all foods and beverages produced significant weight losses and other physical and psychosocial improvements.

Weight Stigma Among Sexual Minority Adults: Findings from a Matched Sample of Adults Engaged in Weight Management.

OBJECTIVE: Despite elevated rates of obesity among some groups of sexual minority (SM) adults, research examining weight stigma in this population is scarce. METHODS: Weight stigma and weight-related health correlates were assessed in SM adults (N = 658) versus heterosexual adults (N = 658) matched on sex, race/ethnicity, age, education, and BMI. Adults enrolled in WW (formerly Weight Watchers) completed digital questionnaires assessing experienced weight stigma, weight bias internalization (WBI), weight cycling, eating self-efficacy, eating to cope, physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS: Survey response rates ranged from 0.8% to 3.5%. There were no differences in experienced weight stigma between SM and heterosexual participants; more than two-thirds experienced weight stigma, and more than 50% reported stigma from family, health care providers, teachers and classmates, and community members. Gay men endorsed higher WBI than heterosexual men (ß = 0.22, P < 0.001). Regardless of sexual orientation, WBI was associated with poorer mental HRQOL, lower eating self-efficacy, and increased eating to cope, controlling for demographics and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing weight stigma is as common for SM adults as heterosexual adults engaged in weight management, and WBI is associated with maladaptive eating behaviors and poor mental HRQOL. Increased attention to weight stigma and its health implications in SM populations is warranted.

Examining the pattern of new foods and beverages consumed during obesity treatment to inform strategies for self-monitoring intake.

Maintaining dietary self-monitoring during obesity treatment may improve outcomes. As dietary variety is associated with energy intake, understanding the pattern of when new foods and beverages are consumed may assist with identifying when self-monitoring should occur. This study examined dietary variety (total number of differing foods and beverages consumed) from the first 40 days of self-monitoring records reporting ≥ 3 eating occasions and >600 kcal/day from 60 adults (55.9 ±â€¯9.1 yrs, 35.1 ±â€¯5.3 kg/m2, 80.0% female, 95.0% white) participating in a smartphone-based, lifestyle intervention. Dietary variety was coded using an ingredient-based approach. Additionally, new flavors of previously consumed items, and modified and non-modified items contributed to variety. Total number of different foods and beverages consumed over 40 coded days (cumulative variety [cv40]); number of days to reach 50%, 75%, and 100% of cv40; cv40 by eating occasions; and mean number of new items consumed on weekdays and weekend days were calculated. CV40 was 145.4 ±â€¯33.5. Number of coded days to consume 50%, 75%, and 100% of cv40 was 12.7, 25.1, and 40.0, respectively. Dinner was greater (p < 0.0001) in cv40 (58.6 ±â€¯18.5 different items) than other eating occasions, and lunch was greater (p < 0.0001) (38.8 ±â€¯10.7 different items) than breakfast and snack. Weekend days had a greater mean number of new items consumed than weekdays, (3.8 ±â€¯1.0 items vs. 3.6 ±â€¯0.9 items, p = 0.035). Variety of items consumed during obesity treatment is high, and to capture the majority of differing items consumed, at least 4 weeks of detailed recording is needed. After this, to capture new foods and beverages consumed, self-monitoring dinners, lunch, and weekend days may be helpful.

Levels of adherence needed to achieve significant weight loss.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Positive associations have been found between adherence and weight loss in behavioral weight-management interventions. However, less attention has been given to the level of adherence needed to reach clinically significant weight loss. This study examined the levels of adherence associated with a ≥ 5% - < 10% or ≥ 10% weight loss in a community-based, intensive behavioral weight management program, Weight Watchers® (WW), which included three modes of access: (1) 24-weekly WW meetings over 6 months, (2) the WW member website, and (3) the WW mobile application. METHODS: A total of 292 participants were randomized to a WW (n = 147) or a self-help (SH) (n = 145) condition. To assess the impact of adherence, only participants in the WW condition were included in analyses (n = 147). Adherence was defined as use of the three modes of access. Measured heights and weights were obtained at baseline and 6 months. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted to determine the minimal level of adherence associated with clinically significant weight loss. RESULTS: In a 6-month period, increased likelihood of achieving a weight loss ≥ 5% - < 10% was associated with attending approximately one-third (35.4%) of weekly meetings, use of the member website about 25% of days, and use of the mobile application 16.1% of days. Attendance at approximately two-thirds (64.5%) of meetings, use of the member website 41.6% of days, and use of the mobile application 14.7% of days were associated with a clinically significant weight loss of ≥ 10%. Meeting attendance was the strongest predictor of weight loss at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although adherence to a behavioral weight management program was an important predictor of weight loss, extremely high levels were not needed to achieve clinically significant weight loss. These results are important to help patients and treatment providers understand realistic goals for weight management.

How prescriptive support affects weight loss in weight-loss intervention participants and their untreated spouses.

OBJECTIVE: Controlling or prescriptive support styles (e.g., pressure) often hinder weight loss, but can sometimes be beneficial. This secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial examined persuasion, pressure, and indirect social control among cohabiting couples and the effect of these supports on weight loss. METHODS: Couples (NCouples = 130) were randomized to either Weight Watchers (WW) or a self-guided control condition (SG). Only one member of each couple received the intervention; the other member of the couple was untreated. Couples were weighed and completed study measures at baseline, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Dyadic multilevel models examined BMI change and differences across role (treated participant/untreated spouse) and condition (WW/SG). Prescriptive support predicted BMI change for treated participants in the WW condition only. For treated WW participants, there was no significant decrease in BMI when pressure was high (+1SD), B = -.25, p = .22, but a significant decrease when pressure was low (0), B = -.96, p < .001. Additionally, high levels of indirect social control (+1SD) predicted greater decreases in BMI compared to low (-1SD) indirect social control, B = -.91, p < .001, and, B = -.41, p < .01. CONCLUSIONS: Considering both the type and context of support for weight management is worthwhile. Intervention participants had access to treatment resources that may have engendered more effective responses to spouses' concerns or a sense of obligation to their spouse (indirect social control), whereas pressures to lose weight-while engaged in treatment-may have undermined behavior-change efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record

Financial incentive strategies for maintenance of weight loss: results from an internet-based randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Financial incentives can improve initial weight loss; we examined whether financial incentives can improve weight loss maintenance. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Participants aged 30-80 years who lost at least 5 kg during the first 4-6 months in a nationally available commercial weight loss program were recruited via the internet into a three-arm randomized trial of two types of financial incentives versus active control during months 1-6 (Phase I) followed by passive monitoring during months 7-12 (Phase II). Interventions were daily self-weighing and text messaging feedback alone (control) or combined with a lottery-based incentive or a direct incentive. The primary outcome was weight change 6 months after initial weight loss. Secondary outcomes included weight change 12 months after initial weight loss (6 months after cessation of maintenance intervention), and self-reported physical activity and eating behaviors. RESULTS: Of 191 participants randomized, the mean age was 49.0 (SD = 10.5) years and weight loss prior to randomization was 11.4 (4.7) kg; 92% were women and 89% were White. Mean weight changes during the next 6 months (Phase I) were: lottery -3.0 (5.8) kg; direct -2.8 (5.8) kg; and control -1.4 (5.8) kg (all pairwise comparisons p > 0.1). Weight changes through the end of 12 months post-weight loss (Phase II) were: lottery -1.8 (10.5) kg; direct -0.7 (10.7) kg; and control -0.3 (9.4) kg (all pairwise comparisons p > 0.1). The percentages of participants who maintained their weight loss (defined as gaining ≤1.36 kg) were: lottery 79%, direct 76%, and control 67% at 6 months and lottery 66%, direct 62%, and control 59% at 12 months (all pairwise comparisons p > 0.1). At 6 and 12 months after initial weight loss, changes in self-reported physical activity or eating behaviors did not differ across arms. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the active control of daily texting based on daily home weighing, lottery-based and direct monetary incentives provided no additional benefit for weight loss maintenance.

Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Ripple Effect of a Nationally Available Weight Management Program on Untreated Spouses.

OBJECTIVE: For married couples, when one spouse participates in weight loss treatment, the untreated spouse can also experience weight loss. This study examined this ripple effect in a nationally available weight management program. METHODS: One hundred thirty dyads were randomized to Weight Watchers (WW; n = 65) or to a self-guided control group (SG; n = 65) and assessed at 0, 3, and 6 months. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 25 years, BMI 27 to 40 kg/m2 (≥ 25 kg/m2 for untreated spouses), and no weight loss contraindications. WW participants received 6 months of free access to in-person meetings and online tools. SG participants received a weight loss handout. Spouses did not receive treatment. RESULTS: Untreated spouses lost weight at 3 months (WW = -1.5 ± 2.9 kg; SG = -1.1 ± 3.3 kg) and 6 months (WW = -2.2 ± 4.2 kg; SG = -1.9 ± 3.6 kg), but weight losses did not differ by condition. Overall, 32.0% of untreated spouses lost ≥ 3% of initial body weight by 6 months. Baseline weight was significantly correlated within couples (r = 0.26; P < 0.01) as were weight loss trajectories (r = 0.52; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of a ripple effect was found in untreated spouses in both formal and self-guided weight management approaches. These data suggest that weight loss can spread within couples, and that widely available lifestyle programs have weight loss effects beyond the treated individual.

The effects of water and non-nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss and weight maintenance: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of water versus beverages sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) on body weight in subjects enrolled in a year-long behavioral weight loss treatment program. METHODS: The study used a randomized equivalence design with NNS or water beverages as the main factor in a trial among 303 weight-stable people with overweight and obesity. All participants participated in a weight loss program plus assignment to consume 24 ounces (710 ml) of water or NNS beverages daily for 1 year. RESULTS: NNS and water treatments were non-equivalent, with NNS treatment showing greater weight loss at the end of 1 year. At 1 year subjects receiving water had maintained a 2.45 ± 5.59 kg weight loss while those receiving NNS beverages maintained a loss of 6.21 ± 7.65 kg (P < 0.001 for difference). CONCLUSIONS: Water and NNS beverages were not equivalent for weight loss and maintenance during a 1-year behavioral treatment program. NNS beverages were superior for weight loss and weight maintenance in a population consisting of regular users of NNS beverages who either maintained or discontinued consumption of these beverages and consumed water during a structured weight loss program. These results suggest that NNS beverages can be an effective tool for weight loss and maintenance within the context of a weight management program.

Consumer taste tests and milk preference in low-income, urban supermarkets.

OBJECTIVE: To explore shoppers' responses to the taste of different types of cow's milk in a blind taste test and to examine their willingness to purchase lower-fat milk as part of an in-store marketing intervention. DESIGN: Participants were recruited on-site in the supermarket to participate in a blind taste test of three varieties of cow's milk and asked to guess what type they sampled. SETTING: The taste testing was conducted as part of the Healthy Retail Solution (HRS) intervention that took place in four large supermarkets in Philadelphia, PA, USA over the course of six months. SUBJECTS: Adults (n 444) at participating Philadelphia supermarkets. RESULTS: The majority of participants at all stores reported typically purchasing higher-fat milk. Forty per cent of participants reported buying whole milk, 38 % purchased milk with 2 % fat. Very few participants correctly identified all three milk samples during the taste test (6·9 %) and a majority of participants were unable to identify the type of milk they self-reported typically purchased. CONCLUSIONS: Most consumers could not accurately distinguish between various types of milk. Taste testing is a promising strategy to introduce lower-fat milks to consumers who have not tried them before. Campaigns to purchase skimmed, 1 % or 2 % milk may result in significant energy reduction over time and can serve as a simple way to combat overweight and obesity.

A randomized controlled study of a healthy corner store initiative on the purchases of urban, low-income youth.

OBJECTIVE: Although many initiatives exist to improve the availability of healthy foods in corner stores, few randomized trials have assessed their effects. This study evaluated, in a randomized controlled trial, the effects of a first-generation healthy corner store intervention on students' food and beverage purchases over a 2-year period. METHODS: Participants (n = 767) were fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students. Ten schools and their nearby corner stores (n = 24) were randomly assigned to the healthy corner store intervention or an assessment-only control. Intercept surveys directly assessed the nutritional characteristics of students' corner store purchases at baseline, 1 and 2 years. Students' weight and heights were measured at baseline, 1 and 2 years. RESULTS: There were no differences in energy content per intercept purchased from control or intervention schools at year 1 (P = 0.12) or 2 (P = 0.58). There were no differences between control and intervention students in BMI z score (year 1, P = 0.83; year 2, P = 0. 98) or obesity prevalence (year 1, P = 0.96; year 2, P = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: A healthy corner store initiative did not result in significant changes in the energy content of corner store purchases or in continuous or categorical measures of obesity. These data will help to inform future interventions.

The effects of water and non-nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss during a 12-week weight loss treatment program.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of non-nutritive sweetened beverages (NNS) or water for weight loss during a 12-week behavioral weight loss treatment program. METHODS: An equivalence trial design with water or NNS beverages as the main factor in a prospective randomized trial among 303 men and women was employed. All participants participated in a behavioral weight loss treatment program. The results of the weight loss phase (12 weeks) of an ongoing trial (1 year) that is also evaluating the effects of these two treatments on weight loss maintenance were reported. RESULTS: The two treatments were not equivalent with the NNS beverage treatment group losing significantly more weight compared to the water group (5.95 kg versus 4.09 kg; P < 0.0001) after 12 weeks. Participants in the NNS beverage group reported significantly greater reductions in subjective feelings of hunger than those in the water group during 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: These results show that water is not superior to NNS beverages for weight loss during a comprehensive behavioral weight loss program.

Placement and promotion strategies to increase sales of healthier products in supermarkets in low-income, ethnically diverse neighborhoods: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The greater presence of supermarkets in low-income, high-minority neighborhoods has the potential to positively affect diet quality among those at greatest risk of obesity. In-store marketing strategies that draw attention to healthier products may be effective, sustainable, and scalable for improving diet quality and health. Few controlled studies of in-store marketing strategies to promote sales of healthier items in low-income, high-minority neighborhoods have been conducted. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of in-store marketing strategies to promote the purchase of specific healthier items in 5 product categories: milk, ready-to-eat cereal, frozen meals, in-aisle beverages, and checkout cooler beverages. DESIGN: The design was a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted from 2011 to 2012. Eight urban supermarkets in low-income, high-minority neighborhoods were the unit of randomization, intervention, and analysis. Stores were matched on the percentage of sales from government food-assistance programs and store size and randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The 4 intervention stores received a 6-mo, in-store marketing intervention that promoted the sales of healthier products through placement, signage, and product availability strategies. The 4 control stores received no intervention and were assessment-only controls. The main outcome measure was weekly sales of the targeted products, which was assessed on the basis of the stores' sales data. RESULTS: Intervention stores showed significantly greater sales of skim and 1% milk, water (in aisle and at checkout), and 2 of 3 types of frozen meals compared with control store sales during the same time period. No differences were found between the stores in sales of cereal, whole or 2% milk, beverages, or diet beverages. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that straightforward placement strategies can significantly enhance the sales of healthier items in several food and beverage categories. Such strategies show promise for significant public health effects in communities with the greatest risk of obesity.