Weight loss and retention in a commercial weight-loss program and the effect of corporate partnership

Abstract

BackgroundNo studies report if improvements to commercial weight loss programs affect retention and weight loss. Similarly, no studies report if enrolling in a program through work (with a corporate partner) affects retention and weight loss.ObjectivesTo determine if: 1) adding evidenced-based improvements to a commercial weight loss program increased retention and weight loss, 2) enrolling in a program through work increased retention and weight loss, and 3) if increased weight loss was due to longer retention.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsData were collected on 60,164 adults who enrolled in Jenny Craig’s Platinum Program over one year in 2001–2002. The program was subsequently renamed the Rewards Program and improved by increasing treatment personalization and including motivational interviewing. Data were then collected on 81,505 Rewards participants who enrolled during 2005 (2,418 of these participants enrolled through their employer, but paid out-of-pocket).MeasurementsRetention (participants were considered active until ≥42 consecutive days were missed) and weight loss (percent of original body weight) from baseline to the last visit (data were evaluated through week 52).ResultsAlpha was set at .001. Mean (95% CI) retention (weeks), was significantly higher among Rewards [19.5 (19.4–19.6)] compared to Platinum [16.3 (16.2–16.4)] participants, and Rewards Corporate [25.9 (25.0–26.8)] compared to Non-corporate [21.9 (21.7–22.1)] participants. Modified intent-to-treat analyses indicated that mean (95% CI) percent weight loss was significantly larger among Rewards [6.36 (6.32–6.40)] compared to Platinum [5.45 (5.41–5.49)] participants, and Rewards Corporate [7.16 (6.92–7.40)] compared to Non-corporate [6.20 (6.16–6.24)] participants, with and without adjustment for baseline participant characteristics. In all cases, greater weight loss was secondary to longer retention.LimitationsThe study was not a randomized controlled trial, rather, a translational effectiveness study.ConclusionsImprovements to a commercial program and enrolling through a corporate partner are associated with greater weight loss that is due to improved retention.

Use of the Medifast Meal Replacement Program for Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Clients: A Retrospective Chart Review of Three Medifast Weight Control Centers (MWCC)

“…In general, the main criticisms of commercial weight-loss programs include cost [25], attrition rates [26], modest weight loss results, and overall suboptimal evidence to support their use [25]. Programs that have been studied have reported varying weight loss results of 5% -15% [25][26][27][28][29].…”

Up to 7 Years of Sustained Weight Loss for Weight-Loss Program Completers

“…One-year weight loss in this real world analysis of TOPS is lower than in the real-world analyses of the Jenny Craig program—6.0% versus 12.3% and 13.0% 24,25 ; however, TOPS costs much less than Jenny Craig, is more accessible to a larger population, and has longer-term weight change data. Furthermore, the 1-year retention rate in this TOPS study is much higher than the published 1-year retention rates of Jenny Craig real-world studies—36% versus 7% and 10%.…”

The Transition into Young Adulthood: a Critical Period for Weight Control

“…These programs are generally marketed toward middle aged or older adults, as evidenced by program spokespeople (e.g., Oprah Winfrey, Kirsti Alley, Marie Osmond) and specialized plans designed for members aged 60+. The mean age of customers in such programs hovers around 40 [76–77], with data suggesting that early dropout is associated with younger age [78]. Young adults who have lost weight successfully were significantly less likely than other adults to have done so with the assistance of a commercial program [79].…”