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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 May;106(5):949-56.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.303035. Epub 2016 Feb 18.

Comparison of Commercial and Self-Initiated Weight Loss Programs in People With Prediabetes: A Randomized Control Trial

David G Marrero  1 , Kelly N B Palmer  1 , Erin O Phillips  1 , Karen Miller-Kovach  1 , Gary D Foster  1 , Chandan K Saha  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Comparison of Commercial and Self-Initiated Weight Loss Programs in People With Prediabetes: A Randomized Control Trial

David G Marrero et al. Am J Public Health. 2016 May.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine if a widely available weight-management program (Weight Watchers) could achieve sufficient weight loss in persons with prediabetes compared with a Diabetes Prevention Program-based individual counseling program supported by National Diabetes Education Program materials.

Methods: We conducted an individual, randomized intervention trial in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2013 to 2014, in 225 persons with prediabetes. We compared the Weight Watchers weight-management program (n = 112) with Your Game Plan to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, a program developed by the National Diabetes Education Program. Outcomes were weight and metabolic markers measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Results: Intervention participants lost significantly more weight than controls at 6 months (5.5% vs 0.8%) and 12 months (5.5% vs 0.2%; both P < .001). The intervention group also had significantly greater improvements in hemoglobin A1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level than did controls.

Conclusions: A large weight-management program is effective for achieving lifestyle changes associated with diabetes prevention. Such programs could significantly increase the availability of diabetes prevention programs worldwide making an immediate and significant public health impact.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02000024.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Consort Flow Diagram for Randomized Controlled Trial of Weight Watchers Versus Counseling With National Diabetes Education Program Materials: Indianapolis, IN, 2013–2014
FIGURE 2—
FIGURE 2—
Mean Percent Weight Change in Randomized Controlled Trial of Weight Watchers Versus Counseling With National Diabetes Education Program Materials: Indianapolis, IN, 2013–2014
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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