Efficacy of Commercial Weight-Loss Programs
Annals of Internal Medicine, April 7, 2015
Gudzune, et al
| Program | Weight Loss at 1 year | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Watchers | 2.6% | $35 |
| Jenny Craig | 4.9% | $775 |
| Nutrisystem | 3.8% | $636 |
| Optifast | 4.0% | $665 |
| Atkins | 2.9% | Book for $10 |
| MD Weight Management | 24%* | $550 + meal replacements |
* 1993 and 2003 studies showed total body weight loss of 26% and 23%, respectively.
2014 Patient Results
-
Sample of 58 patients. Average enrollment of 6 months.
- BMI average decreases by 8 points
- A1c average decrease of 1.3% for diabetics
- LDL average decrease of 29 points for patients with high cholesterol
- Systolic BP average decrease of 25 mm Hg for patients with high blood pressure
These outcomes are highly consistent with 2003 and 1993 program study findings.
Medications Discontinued for 58 Patients
MDWM Data: March – Dec 2014
| Rxs Discontinued | Rx Dosage Reduced by ½ | |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 26 | 6 |
| Diabetes | 10 | 2 |
| High Cholesterol | 10 | 1 |
| Reflux | 4 | |
| Sleep Apnea | 2 | |
| Total | 52* | 9 |
* 20 of 52 (~40%) medications were stopped on Day 1 of the program.
Outcome (2003 Completed Study)
Sample of 58 patients. Average enrollment of 6 months
| Start | Finish | Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (lbs) | Women (n=64) Men (n=19) |
274 321 |
213 248 |
-61 -73 |
| Body Mass Index | Women Men |
46 47 |
36 37 |
-10 -10 |
| Patients starting with High Blood Pressure (mmHg) | 146/92 | 124/79 | ||
| Patients starting with High Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 256 | 193 | ||
| Patients starting with High Glucose (mg/Dl) | 217 | 107 |
Projected Prescription Drug Savings
Group Practice Journal, April 2015
Obesity Epidemic by Paull-Forney, et al.
- Studied effects of moderate weight loss on changes in medication use for treatment of Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol
- Average reduction in Diabetes medication cost per-patient-per-day were $5.95 or ~$2200/year in reduced Diabetes medication costs
- Per-patient-per-day Hypertension and High Cholesterol drug costs were reduced 42% and 28%
- Data showed 54% reduction in annual medication costs overall per year for weight loss programs far less effective than MD Weight Management.