Efficacy of Commercial Weight Loss Programs on Metabolic Syndrome
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ObjectiveCommercial weight loss programs offer consumers a preprogrammed means of managing weight. However, such programs differ in dietary advice and physical activity recommendations. The aim of this investigation was compare the Curves Complete 90day Challenge (CC), Weight Watchers Points Plus (WW), Jenny Craig At Home (JC), and Nutrisystem Advance Select (NS) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and weight loss.MethodsWe examined 133 sedentary overweight women (4711 yr, 8614 kg, 35.46 kg/m2) randomized into CC (n=29), WW (n=29), JC (n=27), NS (n=28), or control (n=20) for 12wks. Body mass and MetS were obtained at baseline and followup (12 w). The primary outcome was MetS expressed as a categorical variable and summed zscore (zMetS) as a continuous variable. Secondary outcomes included total caloric intake, body mass, respective anthropometry and measured physical activity (PA). Data were analyzed using a chisquare and general linear model covaried for age and prevalence of MetS at baseline. Data are mean SD and mean change 95% CI when applicable.ResultsWe observed significant reductions in total energy intake for all treatment groups except Control (103 kcal, 95% CI, 277, 70): CC (413 kcal, 95% CI, 573, 254), WW (531 kcals, 95% CI, 675, 387), JC (604 kcal, 95% CI, 753, 455), NS (631 kcal, 95% CI, 778, 485). While posthoc analysis showed JC and NS to be greater than CC, weight loss was similar for all groups (4.0 4.2 kg). At baseline, the prevalence of MetS was: CC (35%), WW (31%), JC (37%), NS (39%) and control (45%). At followup we observed a significant trend (p=0.008) in reduction of MetS prevalence such that CC (14%) and WW (28%) was significantly lower than JC (42%), NS (50%) and control (55%); however, WW was not significantly different than JC, NS, or control. When expressed as zMetS, only the CC group demonstrated a significant reduction in zMetS (0.11, 95% CI 0.21, 0.004) vs. WW (0.89, 95% CI 0.18, 0.02), JC (0.05, 95% CI 0.16, .06), NS (0.06, 95% CI 0.16, 0.05) and control (0.05, 95% CI, 0.18, 0.07). Other than exercise contained within the CC program, no significant changes were otherwise noted in total PA for any treatment group: CC (4645 MET min/week; 95% CI, 1638, 10929), Weight Watchers (3361 MET min/week; 95% CI, 3208, 2988), Jenny Craig (448 MET min/week; 95% CI, 6949, 6053), Nutrisystem (967 MET min/week; 95% CI, 7401, 5468) or Control (5128 MET min/week; 95% CI, 2529, 12785).ConclusionsNotwithstanding the minor differences in energy intake favoring JC and NS, each program demonstrated similar amounts of weight loss. However, a significant reduction in MetS was demonstrated only in CC and WW via categorical analysis and CC via zMetS. Thus, despite recommendations by each program to increase PA, the program including a structured fitness routine in conjunction with diet exhibited the greatest impact on changes in MetS.Support or Funding InformationCurves International
