Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Women

Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Women
Rock and colleagues report results of a clinical trial that enrolled 442 overweight or
obese women and randomly assigned them to a structured (and commercial) weight loss
program that included prepared calorie-reduced meals, physical activity recommendations,
and weekly in-person one-to-one weight counseling; or to receive 2 individualized
weight loss counseling sessions with a dietetics professional and monthly contacts (usual
care). The authors assessed weight loss at a 2-year follow-up and found that compared
with usual care, the structured commercial weight loss program was associated with
greater weight loss. In an editorial, Wing discusses commercial weight loss programs and
the importance of evaluating their cost-effectiveness.