Original Article
International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 292–298. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803395; published online 6 June 2006
Retention rates and weight loss in a commercial weight loss program
C E Finley1, C E Barlow1, F L Greenway2, C L Rock3, B J Rolls4 and S N Blair1
- 1The Cooper Institute, Center for Epidemiologic Research, Dallas, TX, USA
- 2Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Outpatient Clinic Unit, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- 3Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
- 4Department of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
Correspondence: CE Finley, The Cooper Institute, 12330 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230, USA. E-mail: cfinley@cooperinst.org
Received 12 October 2005; Revised 31 March 2006; Accepted 10 April 2006; Published online 6 June 2006.
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate and describe retention rates and weight loss in clients participating in a commercial weight loss program.
Subjects:
A total of 60 164 men and women ages 18–79 years who enrolled in the Jenny Craig Platinum program between May 2001 and May 2002.
Methods:
Retention rates, mean weight loss and percent weight loss were calculated on a weekly basis for the 52-week period following initial enrollment in the weight loss program. Clients were categorized based on final week of participation in the program (weeks 1–4, weeks 5–13, weeks 14–26, weeks 27–39 and weeks 40–52) and weight loss was calculated at final week. A subgroup of clients was identified based on attendance through 13, 26 and 52 weeks. Mean and percent weight loss was calculated for these subgroups of clients.
Results:
Of the 60 164 men and women who enrolled in the weight loss program, 73% were retained in the program after 4 weeks, 42% at 13 weeks, 22% at 26 weeks and 6.6% at 52 weeks. Clients who dropped out of the program during the first 4 weeks lost 1.1
1.6% (means.d.) of their initial body weight, whereas clients who dropped out between 40 and 52 weeks lost 12.07.2%. Clients in the 13-week, 26-week and 52-week cohorts lost 8.33.3, 12.65.1 and 15.67.5% of their initial body weight, respectively.
Conclusion:
Weight loss was greater among clients who were retained in the program longer. The findings from this study suggest that a commercial weight loss program can be an effective weight loss tool for individuals who remain active in the program.
Keywords:
commercial weight loss program, retention rates, weight management
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated
RESEARCH
Kidney International Original Article
Thromboxane and prostacyclin differentially regulate murine extracellular matrix gene expression
Kidney International Original Article
Retention rates and weight loss in a commercial weight loss program
International Journal of Obesity Original Article
