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Clinical Research

Levels of adherence needed to achieve significant weight loss

International Journal of Obesity volume 43, pages 125–131 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background/Objectives

Positive associations have been found between adherence and weight loss in behavioral weight-management interventions. However, less attention has been given to the level of adherence needed to reach clinically significant weight loss. This study examined the levels of adherence associated with a ≥ 5% – < 10% or ≥ 10% weight loss in a community-based, intensive behavioral weight management program, Weight Watchers® (WW), which included three modes of access: (1) 24-weekly WW meetings over 6 months, (2) the WW member website, and (3) the WW mobile application.

Methods

A total of 292 participants were randomized to a WW (n = 147) or a self-help (SH) (n = 145) condition. To assess the impact of adherence, only participants in the WW condition were included in analyses (n = 147). Adherence was defined as use of the three modes of access. Measured heights and weights were obtained at baseline and 6 months. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted to determine the minimal level of adherence associated with clinically significant weight loss.

Results

In a 6-month period, increased likelihood of achieving a weight loss ≥ 5% – < 10% was associated with attending approximately one-third (35.4%) of weekly meetings, use of the member website about 25% of days, and use of the mobile application 16.1% of days. Attendance at approximately two-thirds (64.5%) of meetings, use of the member website 41.6% of days, and use of the mobile application 14.7% of days were associated with a clinically significant weight loss of ≥ 10%. Meeting attendance was the strongest predictor of weight loss at 6 months.

Conclusions

Although adherence to a behavioral weight management program was an important predictor of weight loss, extremely high levels were not needed to achieve clinically significant weight loss. These results are important to help patients and treatment providers understand realistic goals for weight management.

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Acknowledgements

This study was sponsored by Weight Watchers International, Inc. The funding source reviewed and approved the design of the study and the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

    Craig A. Johnston, Daphne C. Hernandez & Brittany A. Link

  2. USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics-Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    Jennette P. Moreno & John P. Foreyt

  3. HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

    Tzu-An Chen

  4. Weight Watchers International, New York, New York, USA

    Alexis C. Wojtanowski & Gary D. Foster

  5. Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Gary D. Foster

  6. Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    John P. Foreyt

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  1. Craig A. Johnston
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Craig A. Johnston.

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Conflict of interest

ACW and GDF are employees of Weight Watchers International, Inc. CAJ, JPM, and JPF received research support from Weight Watchers International, Inc. DCH, BAL, and TAC declare no conflicts of interest.

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Johnston, C.A., Moreno, J.P., Hernandez, D.C. et al. Levels of adherence needed to achieve significant weight loss. Int J Obes 43, 125–131 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-018-0226-7

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