Weight Management Programs for Obesity

Overseen By Michelle I Cardel, PhD, RD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: WW International Inc

Must not be taking: Anti-obesity medications

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Bariatric surgery, Diabetes, Cancer, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 12 weeks

459 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines which of three commercial weight management programs best aids weight loss over 12 weeks. Participants will receive support through behavioral and lifestyle changes. It suits individuals who have struggled with obesity (BMI of 27 or more) and are ready to engage actively in a structured weight loss program. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to explore effective weight loss strategies tailored to participants' needs.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are taking anti-obesity medications or have untreated thyroid disease with recent medication changes.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Studies have shown that some commercial weight management programs can safely help people lose weight. For example, WW (formerly Weight Watchers) has strong evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness for achieving modest and lasting weight loss. Participants in these programs often lose weight without major safety concerns.

It's important to note that commercial programs differ, and their safety can depend on factors like cost, travel distance, and personal comfort with the program. Some studies also mention limited access to these programs, but when available, they generally do not pose significant safety risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these commercial weight management programs because they offer personalized behavioral and lifestyle support, which can be more engaging and sustainable than traditional methods like medication or generic diet plans. Unlike standard options that might focus solely on calorie restriction or pharmaceutical intervention, these programs emphasize evidence-based techniques tailored to individual needs. This approach aims to foster long-term lifestyle changes, potentially leading to more effective and lasting weight loss outcomes compared to conventional treatments.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for obesity?

This trial will evaluate different commercial weight management programs for obesity. Research has shown that these programs can aid in weight loss. In one study, more participants in a commercial program lost at least 5% of their body weight compared to those attempting weight loss independently. Another study found that losing 5-7% of body weight through lifestyle programs reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58%. Additionally, half of the participants in a year-long commercial program achieved significant weight loss. Short-term programs that include both exercise and nutrition also helped individuals with obesity lose weight. These findings suggest that commercial weight management programs may support weight loss and improve health. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michelle I Cardel, PhD, MS, RD

Principal Investigator

WW International Inc

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher who can follow the study plan, read and write in English, own a scale, and consent to participate. Excluded are those pregnant or planning pregnancy soon, on other weight loss programs, with certain mental health issues or eating disorders, recent major surgery patients, past bariatric surgery patients, taking anti-obesity drugs recently or planning to do so.

Inclusion Criteria

BMI ≥27 kg/m²

Willing and able to comply with study protocol

Able to read and write in English

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant, lactating, or plans to become pregnant in the next 6 months

Participation in another structured weight loss program during the study period (i.e., the next 3 months)

Communication needs that would render them unable to understand the study and/or intervention materials

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive behavioral and lifestyle support from an evidence-based commercial weight management program

12 weeks

4 visits (in-person or virtual) at Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Commercial Weight Management Program

Trial Overview The trial is testing three different commercial weight management programs over 12 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these programs to see which is most effective at helping them lose weight both in absolute terms and as a percentage of their body weight.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Commercial weight management program 3 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this group receive behavioral / lifestyle support from an evidence-based commercial weight management program.

Group II: Commercial weight management program 2 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this group receive behavioral / lifestyle support from an evidence-based commercial weight management program.

Group III: Commercial weight management program 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this group receive behavioral / lifestyle support from an evidence-based commercial weight management program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

WW International Inc

Lead Sponsor

Trials

25

Recruited

5,300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9382439/

Efficacy of a Commercial Weight Management Program ... A greater percentage of participants in the commercial program group than participants in the DIY group achieved loss of 5% of body weight at ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8159888/

Commercial weight-loss programs in the management of ... Study results revealed that participants in the lifestyle program who achieved 5–7% weight loss reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 58%, and this ...

3. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e65122/

Weight Loss Patterns and Outcomes Over 12 Months on a ... This commercial weight loss program was shown to be effective, with 1 in 2 members achieving clinically significant results after 1 year.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468266722002262

Articles Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of referral to a ... There is evidence that commercially available behavioural weight management programmes can lead to short-term weight loss and reductions in glycaemia.

5. cdc.gov cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0347.htm

Weight Loss in Short-Term Interventions for Physical ... Short-term multicomponent interventions involving physical activity and nutrition can achieve weight loss for adults with overweight or obesity.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000482

Obesity medicine provider-directed health coaching in a ... This proof-of-concept project found that Obesity Medicine Physician-directed, portion-controlled meals and HWC can improve weight reduction across a 24-week ...

7. amjmed.com amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(11)00681-4/fulltext

Outcomes from a Medical Weight Loss Program In 178 subjects (43%) completing 12 weeks of the program, primary care clinics were as effective as weight loss clinics at achieving reductions in body weight ( ...

8. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001221

Implementation of Obesity Science Into Clinical Practice Some commercial weight loss programs can be effective, but access is often limited by cost, distance, and patient perceptions of safety and ...