Attendance at Weight Watchers(R) Meetings Strongly Linked to Weight-Loss and Health Improvements.NEW YORK New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of -- Sustained weight loss comes from taking a holistic view of all its components - food, exercise, behavior and a supportive atmosphere. While getting started - and staying motivated - can be challenging, the results are incredibly rewarding. With a scientifically-proven, comprehensive weight-loss program, success can go beyond weight loss and lead to significant health improvements as well. The results of a new study, which evaluated the role attendance at weekly meetings plays in the weight-loss process, demonstrated significant decreases in body weight and insulin resistance Insulin Resistance Definition Insulin resistance is not a disease as such but rather a state or condition in which a person's body tissues have a lowered level of response to insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps to regulate the level for the group that participated in the highest percentage of weekly meetings as part of a comprehensive weight-loss program (Weight Watchers). "With the levels of obesity and obesity-related illness today, the medical community continues to search for weight-loss methods that work," explained Dr. Rippe. "Research shows that consistent attendance at meetings is a critical success factor for safe, healthy, effective weight loss as the impact on these health markers clearly indicates." He added, "The potential impact of these findings is significant because of just how safe and effective this method can be, without having to resort to more serious measures that could have negative effects on some patients." The 24-week data of this ongoing study was conducted by a team of researchers, led by James Rippe, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine The Tufts University School of Medicine is one of the eight schools that comprise Tufts University. Located on the university's health sciences campus in the Chinatown district of Boston, Massachusetts, the medical school has clinical affiliations with thousands of doctors and , Founder and Director, Rippe Lifestyle Institute. Those who attended the most meetings showed significantly greater weight loss and decreases in waist circumference compared to those who attended infrequently. Despite the fact that none of the subjects had diabetes, improvements were also seen in fasting glucose fasting glucose Fasting blood sugar, fasting plasma glucose Endocrinology Glucose obtained from a Pt who has had nothing–except water by mouth for 8+ hrs; FG is used in evaluating Pts for possible DM Ref range 65-115 mg/dL non-diabetic; 110-140 mg/dL, , fasting insulin (p=0.05) and insulin resistance (p=0.02) among those who were regular meeting attendees. These observations suggest that attending weekly meetings as an integral part of a comprehensive weight-loss plan promotes weight loss and improves glucose handling, important factors in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease Disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. Mentioned in: Lipoproteins Test cardiovascular disease . "At Weight Watchers, we use scientific research to develop the best possible methods to help our members lose weight and optimize their health," stated Karen Miller-Kovach, MS, RD, Chief Scientific Officer, Weight Watchers International. "We are committed to the success of our members and want to see them achieve and maintain their weight-loss goals." Obesity is a risk factor for a number of chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease coronary artery disease, condition that results when the coronary arteries are narrowed or occluded, most commonly by atherosclerotic deposits of fibrous and fatty tissue. and type II diabetes Type II diabetes Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and usually appears in middle aged adults. It is often associated with obesity and may be delayed or controlled with diet and exercise. Mentioned in: Diabetic Ketoacidosis . Impaired glucose metabolism glucose metabolism, n the process by which simple sugars found in many foods are processed and used to produce energy in the form of ATP. Once consumed, glucose is absorbed by the intestines and into the blood. often accompanies obesity, aggravating weight-related co-morbidities. However, for overweight and obese people, weight loss of about 10 percent can improve some obesity-related medical conditions including diabetes and hypertension. "In one month at Weight Watchers, I have lost 7.4 pounds, made an exercise commitment to at least 2 days a week -- baby steps here -- and I have already lowered my medications," explained Weight Watchers member Linda Lawrence. "I have also made some important behavioral changes - I don't eat late at night while watching television and I have also learned that I don't always have to socialize so·cial·ize v. so·cial·ized, so·cial·iz·ing, so·cial·iz·es v.tr. 1. To place under government or group ownership or control. 2. To make fit for companionship with others; make sociable. strictly around food." Study Design As part of an randomized ran·dom·ize tr.v. ran·dom·ized, ran·dom·iz·ing, ran·dom·iz·es To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment. , controlled clinical trial controlled clinical trial, n a research strategy that calls for two samples: an experimental sample of patients receiving a pharmaceutical, and a second sample of control patients receiving a placebo. , 42 nondiabetic overweight and obese individuals (five men, 37 women) completed 24 weeks of an internationally available weight-loss program that incorporates physical activity, structured food plans, and cognitive skills in a format of weekly group meetings (mean age 38.8 6.0, mean BMI BMI body mass index. BMI abbr. body mass index Body mass index (BMI) A measurement that has replaced weight as the preferred determinant of obesity. 31.99 2.15). Attendance at meetings was recorded and the cohort was separated into quartiles based on percentage of meetings attended (mean attendance by quartile Quartile A statistical term describing a division of observations into four defined intervals based upon the values of the data and how they compare to the entire set of observations. Notes: Each quartile contains 25% of the total observations. was: 30.00% 10.36, 52.09% 5.76, 65.53% 3.77, and 82.41% 4.55). Differences between baseline and week 24 data were calculated and between group differences were analyzed via one way ANOVA anova see analysis of variance. ANOVA Analysis of variance, see there using SPSS A statistical package from SPSS, Inc., Chicago (www.spss.com) that runs on PCs, most mainframes and minis and is used extensively in marketing research. It provides over 50 statistical processes, including regression analysis, correlation and analysis of variance. (version 13). [It is important to note this is a subset of a larger trial in which patients were randomized - not self-selected - into the weight-loss program.] Study Results When looking at the improvements in the 4 groups by percentage of meetings attended, consistency of meeting attendance had a direct correlation with the health improvements as shown in the table below: [TABLE OMITTED] "The comparison between the group who attended 30 percent versus over 80 percent was dramatically different," explained Dr. Rippe. "We hope to help the public understand how valuable a comprehensive weight-loss program that encourages attendance at weekly meetings can be - and it is proven safe and effective. Clinical research continues to support that, when it comes to weight loss, following a self-administered food plan does not provide the same results as a comprehensive approach. That is why, time and again, a comprehensive weight loss program, one that includes a diet plan, exercise, new thinking skills and the support of a weekly meeting, is proven to be the most effective. Additional Attendance Data Earlier this year, another abstract was presented at the American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association, or the ADA, is an American health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of (ADA Ada, city, United States Ada (ā`ə), city (1990 pop. 15,820), seat of Pontotoc co., S central Okla.; inc. 1904. It is a large cattle market and the center of a rich oil and ranch area. ) annual meeting, which also supports the role weekly attendance at Weight Watchers meetings plays in weight-loss success. The ADA abstract examined weight-loss success and improvement in health markers, specifically measuring changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Forty non-diabetic overweight and obese individuals were included in the analysis (mean age 38.7 6.1 years; mean BMI 31.91 2.15) where attendance was recorded attendance at weekly meetings for 24-weeks following randomization randomization (ranˈ·d  ·m . Significant correlations were found between
attendance of weekly meetings and decreases in body weight (r=.476,
p=0.002), BMI (r=.492, p=0.001) and waist circumference(r=.455,
p=0.003).There is a significant association between the attendance of weekly meetings and enhanced weight-related outcomes among subjects randomized to this commercially available group weight-loss intervention that includes weekly meetings as part of its comprehensive program. How Weight Watchers Meetings Work Members attend Meetings once a week for less than an hour. Each week, there is a confidential weigh-in to help track progress. Members learn how to make wise choices, eat healthy and enjoy food and exercise. Every week, new tips and program materials are provided to help follow the program. "I lowered my blood pressure significantly in only one month following the Weight Watchers plan and attending weekly meetings," said Patty Hartman, Weight Watchers member. "I not only felt better on the inside but had less water retention so I looked better on the outside." Members enjoy support from meeting Leaders who also lost weight with Weight Watchers, and are trained experts in the program who are committed to the success of each member. Members also benefit from the exchange of tips, recipes and others' practical experiences. Meeting members can sign up for our Internet weight-loss companion for Meetings, Weight Watchers eTools. Anyone who wants to learn more about what Weight Watchers has to offer can visit a participating meeting at any time of the year with no obligation to join. About Weight Watchers International, Inc. Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating in 30 countries through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds over 48,000 weekly meetings where members receive group support and education about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification behavior modification n. 1. The use of basic learning techniques, such as conditioning, biofeedback, reinforcement, or aversion therapy, to teach simple skills or alter undesirable behavior. 2. See behavior therapy. and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control. For more information, visit the Science Center at www.weightwatchers.com |
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