title: A randomized controlled trial of a community-based behavioral counseling program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians refer obese adults for intensive, multicomponent behavioral counseling, yet most obese Americans choose a self-help approach to lose weight. The current study examined weight loss between a community-based, intensive behavioral counseling program (Weight Watchers program) and a self-help condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 292 participants were randomized to either a Weight Watchers condition (WW) (n = 147) or a self-help condition (n = 145). Participants in the WW condition were provided with 3 ways to access the treatment: weekly meetings; WW mobile application; and WW online tools. Weights were measured at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Additionally, self-report use of access modes was collected at 3 and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in the WW condition significantly decreased their body mass index at 6 months (F = 36.7, P <.001) and were 8.0 and 8.8 times more likely to achieve a 5% and 10% reduction in weight, respectively, compared with those in the self-help condition. In a secondary analysis, high usage of all 3 access modes resulted in the greatest weight loss (P <.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the WW program yielded significantly greater weight loss than a self-help approach, suggesting it is a viable community-based provider of weight loss treatment, as recommended by the USPSTF. Further, high usage of 3 access modes was associated with greater weight loss results.
authors.affiliation: USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics-Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex; Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. Electronic address: caj@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rost
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miller-Kovach
authors.forename: Jennette P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Foreyt
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003376:Counseling; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Commercial; Community-based; Intervention; Randomized; Weight loss