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There is in an increased interest in the Weight Watchers dietDate: 17.05.2003
Posted by: Anabolic Info Team United States
One of the oldest diet plans is once again soaring in popularity. Dr. Deanna Lites takes a look at an old standard.
Weight Watchers is not your mother's diet plan anymore. The revamped program is winning back customers in big numbers. Karen from Tinley Park rejoined Weight Watchers one week ago and now, she's almost five pounds lighter. "I tried the Atkins and couldn't live without the carbohydrates. With this you can eat whatever you want, you just have to make sure you count the points," explained Karen.
Jan from Chicago did Weight Watchers 30 years ago. Since rejoining in November, she's lost 44 pounds. "I like it because I don't feel deprived," said Jan. These two women are among those discovering that this 40-year-old weight loss plan is hot again. Weight Watchers International says 1.5-million people attend weekly group meetings, like the one at Sears Tower. The company says attendance was up 18-percent last year and financial analysts confirm the double-digit increase.
This, despite a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, that people assigned to the program for free lost only an average 7-pounds after two years in the plan.
So what's behind Weight Watchers resurgence? In 1997, the company revamped it's entire strategy. The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, joined as spokesperson. And the company switched from pushing prepared food products, to a new plan called Winning Points.
No food is off limits. Each food has a points value based on fat, fiber and calories. For example, an apple is one point, a 3-ounce serving of chicken breast is 3 points and a Krispy Kreme donut is 5 points. Members are given a daily points range based on their weight, about 20-25 points on average. Members can also save up points for special occasions by exercising. "If I want to eat pizza, or I want to eat ice cream, real ice cream, not low-fat, if I save my points, I can do that," expressed Jan.
Winning Points gets good marks from dietitians for encouraging a variety of foods and exercise. Dave Grotto with the American Dietetic Association said, "they give their clients a really sensible program that doesn't really eliminate any type of food. All foods can certainly fit in an appropriate diet. And the bottom line really is calorie control."
Weight Watchers is reportedly cheaper than the other top commercial diet plans. Last year Fortune Magazine found it costs $12 to lose a pound on Weight Watchers, compared with $45 for Nutri-System, and $50 for Jenny Craig.
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