1. Studies Rate it a Leading Successful Weight Loss Plan
In a diet-rich world, it may be daunting to sift through the claims made by promoters of the various weight-management plans. The Weight Watchers program garners favorable reviews from several studies, and for different reasons. The Rippe Lifestyle Institute reported to the North American Association for the Study of Obesity that the comprehensive diet-and-exercise approach of Weight Watchers performed better than an exercise-only regimen at both weight reduction and improved cardiovascular measures. A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA; M. Dansinger, et al.) found that while almost all diet plans at the one-year point will be effective, only subjects on the Weight Watchers and Zone diets were likely to stick with their plans over the long haul. The group meetings component of Weight Watchers is associated with the most successful outcomes studied in another JAMA article_temp.
2. Uses the Principles of Balanced Eating and Exercise
The American Dietetic Association and virtually all credible, scientifically-based health and wellness organizations stress the importance of balance, variety and moderation in all matters of diet, exercise and overall wellness. Weight Watchers' formula of eating a variety of foods within a structure--high-fiber fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lower-fat protein and polyunsaturated fats--along with an emphasis on exercise, meets those standards.
3. Adapts to different personality types
The company began in the 1960s when founder Jean Nidetch gathered friends in her Brooklyn, N.Y. home to share diet ideas and challenges. From that group interaction, she founded the company that today engages Weight Watchers members in a discipline of balanced, healthy eating in a choice of plans. The "Core Plan" allows eating within the healthy structure until reaching satisfaction, not fullness; foods are assigned point values, instead of being measured in calories. The "Flex Plan" takes into account more individual variables (height, weight, age, gender, activity levels) and allows eating outside the healthy foods list of the Core Plan. Points are also used in Flex Plan dieting.
4. Men and the Meeting-averse can Participate too
While much of the success of Weight Watchers is historically based in the group support model, the company has adapted to the Internet era and increasing obesity rates in men with an online venue. Althea Zanecosky, a registered dietitian, told WebMD that group support doesn't work for everyone, suggesting that the online program "can provide the anonymity that some people need, especially men."
5. Decades of Success
This is no Johnny-come-lately approach to weight management. It has evolved over time and still remains one of the most popular diet programs with celebrities swearing by it. The Weight Watchers diet is far from a fad diet and focuses on limiting unnecessary calorie intake while still providing all necessary nutrients.
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