Weight Watchers has recently replaced its 15-year points plan with the new PointsPlus Program. According to Karen Miller-Kovach, Chief Scientific Officer of Weight Watchers International, this plan continues the Points system that allocates each food a certain amount of points and allows the members to consume food and drink within a points budget that is appropriate to lose weight successfully. PointsPlus is based on the most up-to-date research, and incorporates many new elements.
Points of Foods
The points allocated for each food are based on the amount of protein, carbohydrates, total fat and fiber the food contains, and on the latest research proving that the body needs different amounts of energy to break down each macro-nutrient. According to a review conducted in 2002 by Eric Jequier at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, the body works harder to digest protein than fat and carbohydrates, therefore more energy is needed during this process. Consequently foods rich in protein tend to have lower point values than other more sugary and fatty foods. However, the new PointsPlus system recommends that all forms of nutrients should be consumed daily as they are part of a balanced diet.
Members Points Allowance
Every member needs to consume a certain number of points within a day and depending on their gender, height, weight and age, this number can vary between 29 and 71 points. Additionally, all members, regardless of their daily budget, have a weekly allowance of 49 points that give them the flexibility to use them for unplanned events and socializing. Everyone can earn extra points through physical activity as this is not included in the above budgets. According to Weight Watchers, if you stick to your daily and weekly points, you can lose up to two pounds per week, which is the healthy amount recommended by the American Dietetic Association.
Tracking
One of the biggest weight loss trials published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2008 showed that the people who were keeping a food diary lost twice as much weight as those who did not. The lead author of the study, Jack Hollis, PhD, reported that "The more food records people kept, the more weight they lost." Keeping a full record of the points of everything you eat and drink is a fundamental prerequisite for successful weight loss in Weight Watchers as it increases your possibilities to stay within your points budget. Additionally, it will help you and your leader identify eating habits that do not promote weight loss.
Meeting Support
A well-structured plan plus personal support for each member is the way Weight Watchers targets the success in weight loss. The role of the weekly meetings is for members to express the problems they face and to share their ideas and tips with the other members. The leader also encourages members to reach their goal weight, leads a discussion and gives information on several subjects regarding the plan.
References
- The Facts About Finess.com: The Weight Watchers Pro Points Plan: Does It Work?
- NYDailyNews.com: Weight Watchers new Points Plus Weight Loss System Has Dieters Losing Their Minds
- Daily Mail Online: WeightWatchers Is a Byword For Dieting Success -- So Why, This Week, Has It Completely Changed Its Approach?
- You Tube: Weight Watchers Launches New Points Plan
- International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Abstract of Pathways to Obesity; E. Jequier; 2002
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