Pilot evaluation of a personalized commercial program on weight loss, health outcomes, and quality of life

Abstract

Abstract WW is a validated behavioral weight management program that encourages healthy habits. WW developed a method of personalizing the SmartPoints® budget depending on dietary and lifestyle preferences, and participants were placed into one of three plans as a pilot evaluation of this new program. In this 6-month, single-arm pilot study, participants attended weekly workshops and used an app to monitor eating and physical activity. Baseline and 6-month assessments included weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, energy intake, cravings, happiness, health-related quality of life, hunger, and fullness. Of 145 adults assessed at baseline, 126 (87%) provided follow-up data. Pre–post changes showed significant reductions in body weight (7.39% ± 5.93%), calories consumed (24.79% ± 32.35%) and significant improvements in cravings, happiness, all SF-36 scales and hunger but not in fullness. Greater % weight loss was related to greater improvements in happiness (r = .38, p < .001), general health perceptions (r = .29, p = .001), and health change (r = .31, p = .001), and greater reduction in role limitations due to personal or emotional problems (r = .24, p = .01). Greater % reduction in caloric intake was associated with greater reductions in cravings (r = .23, p = .01), as well as with greater improvements in happiness (r = .23, p = .01), physical functioning (r = .23, p = .01), and general health perceptions (r = .23, p = .01). Participants in this modified program achieved significant weight loss, regardless of dietary plan, as well as improvements in a variety of other physical and psychological constructs. Those who achieved greater reductions in weight also reported greater improvements in cravings, happiness and some quality of life measures.