Tuesday, January 4, 2005

Study Says Commercial Diet Programs Don't Work

A new study looking at several leading diet programs concluded that most do not work, with only Weight Watchers showing any positive results (a 5% loss of weight that is usually regained). The study appears in the Annals of Internal Medicine.



Some of the programs studied included Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, L.A. Weight Loss, Optifast, Medifast, Health Management Resources, and eDiets. A couple of the programs can cost as much as $2100 for three months.



The results of this study are not surprising. Most of the programs studied are not offering a scientifically based approach to fat loss. Most do not include any form of real exercise (weight training two to three days a week and cardio three to four days a week). And most do not look at the psychological factors that cause overeating, the cultural norms that support consumption of unhealthy foods or eating in unhealthy ways, or the social structures which make all of this possible, including the over-priced and ineffective weight loss programs.



We need an Integral Fitness Solution that treats the whole person -- body, mind, and spirit.



[Click the header to read the NY Times story.]

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