Very little evidence to show weight loss programs work!

A study has found that solid evidence that major commercial weight loss programs in the US are helpful over the long term is hard to find. What evidence there is suggests that while many people lose weight, many also drop out, or regain at least half of the weight they lost within two years. The study examined data collected on a range of programs, including those like Weight Watchers where people lose weight at a gradual rate without medical supervision, and more drastic, very low-calorie techniques such as OPTIFAST, where dieters need to be followed by health professionals.

"There wasn't really, for the most part, that much evidence to support" these programs, study author Dr. Adam Gilden Tsai told Reuters Health. However, every dieter is different, and many will likely shed pounds for good on some of these programs, Tsai noted. But before choosing one, dieters should be "savvy," he said, and decide whether it's worth what's involved and the cost. To evaluate commercial weight loss programs, the researchers -- both based at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia -- searched weight loss company web sites for the cost of the program, and called company representatives if the information was not provided.

To determine how well the programs work, the researchers reviewed all available research into the programs' merits, finding studies about eDiets.com, Health Management Resources, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, OPTIFAST, and Weight Watchers. Reporting read more