Effectiveness Of Weight Watchers Diet

Weight Watchers, a diet program started by Jean Nidetch in the 1960s, remains one of the most popular diet programs in existence, with meetings held all over the United States and beyond. Not a fad diet, Weight Watchers bases its success on slow, steady weight loss and member support provided through weekly meetings.

Description

The Weight Watcher's weight-loss program does not count calories, but allows members a certain number of points per day. Different foods have different point values. The point system is based on your age, weight, activity level and sex. A certain number of discretionary points are also allotted, for special occasions or dinners out. Some restaurants, such as the Applebee's chain, have Weight Watchers-designated meals with the point count listed on the menu. In addition to the diet plan, members have a weekly weigh-in and can attend as many support meetings as they want during the week. These meetings normally last under an hour.

Statistics

According to a 2005 article published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," people who attended meetings and followed the Weight Watchers plan lost an average of 11 lbs. over two years. People who followed the plan but didn't attend the meetings lost 6 lbs. over two years, on average. In the first year of the diet, 35 percent of people following the Weight Watchers program dropped out, compared to 50 percent in the Ornish and Atkins Diet groups and 35 percent for people following The Zone program. In each group, around 25 percent of people lost more than 5 percent of body weight and 10 percent lost 10 percent or more.

Recent Changes

Weight Watchers changed their points system somewhat in 2010, introducing the PointsPlus plan. Under this plan, more emphasis is placed on healthy choices rather than just allowing all foods with the same calorie count the same number of points. This gives members more incentive to choose a piece of fruit over a piece of candy, even if presented with the same number of calories in each.

Allowed Foods

Weight Watchers does not restrict food choices, just the number of points you can eat each day. Weight Watchers does have a line of pre-packaged foods ranging from full meals to snack bars. There's no requirement to purchase them, unlike some other programs. Like many processed foods, they add unnecessary sodium and additives to your diet, but provide a convenient, pre-determined number of points.

Benefits

Weight Watchers members get a number of benefits for their buck. The weekly meetings provide an accepting and open atmosphere that encourages members to voice their concerns and share their tips with other members. A trained Weight Watchers leader runs the meetings. The weekly weigh-in provides incentive, as the "biggest loser" gets a round of applause during the meeting. Weight Watchers also has an online-support system, with forums and meal ideas available. Weight Watchers charges a monthly fee, so members may be more likely to stick to the plan, as it costs money to follow it.