The Medical Research Council has said that making the diet club Weight Watchers available on the NHS could be an effective and cheap way of tackling obesity in Britain.
In trials, the program was shown to have a greater impact on changing people’s eating habits than the normal advice and care a GP would provide. 2/3s of Primary Health Care Trusts already offer a 12-week Weight Watchers course to patients, which normally would cost £5 a week.
While the research was paid for by Weight Watchers it was conducted by the MRC and included an assessment of 30,000 people who were sent on the 12-week course and a trial comparing Weight Watchers with GP-lead services.
Those who took part in the weight loss program lost on average 2.8 kg. In the trial, involving 800 people, after a year those on the program lost on average 7kg, compared with 3.9kg for those who did not. The program participants were also more likely to continue with their diet.
Weight Watchers is thought to be such a success because the companionship and group mentality of it gives dieters extra support and motivation to continue with their diet, as well as encouraging them even if they fall off the wagon occasionally.
The leader of the study, Dr Susan Jebb, said the results were very encouraging. She pointed out that if current obesity trends continue, by 2020 we could be footing an annual bill of £46 billion to deal with the condition, making the program a relatively cost-effective solution.