How to lose weight? This trial compares Weight Watchers (12 months free membership) with 'usual care' in slightly obese adults (BMI 27 - 35). Design and execution of the trial look good. Weight loss was modest (5kg) and dropout rates high, which is typical of weight loss programmes.
Kate Jolly and Paul Aveyard have written a good commentary. I'd add two further observations:
1. the comparator was 'usual care' but this was a multinational trial. 'Usual' in the UK is not the same as 'usual' in Germany whihc is not the same as 'usual' in Australia.
2. the trial was funded by Weight Watchers 'via a grant to the MRC'. That's probably ok but what would we have said if this was a drug trial funded by the company that made the drug?
Comments