New research shows Weight Watchers helps people lose weight effectively

New research unveiled at the International Congress on Obesity (ICO) is further evidence of how Weight Watchers helps people around the world lose weight effectively, and has the potential to collaborate further with public health care providers worldwide to help reverse the obesity epidemic.

"New research in countries as diverse as China, Spain, Australia, Germany and the UK shows Weight Watchers proven method works consistently - not only in the US as several previous studies have confirmed - but also across different cultures to deliver significant weight loss. We are proud of our efforts to tackle the epidemic and contribution to obesity science. We have published 61 original scientific publications underpinning the effectiveness of our approach making Weight Watchers unique among commercial weight loss services", said David Kirchhoff, President & CEO, Weight Watchers International Inc.

Kirchhoff and executives from Weight Watchers, the world's leading provider of weight loss services, join 3,000 scientists, policymakers and health professionals attending ICO in Stockholm 11-15 July.

Susan Jebb, Head of Nutrition & Health Research, Medical Research Council in the UK, who headed up the landmark global efficacy research project, released today, outlined first results showing that 61% of programme completers achieved weight loss of greater than or equal to 5% of initial weight compared to 32% with standard care delivered through primary care. Jebb said "The research shows that participation in Weight Watchers leads to medically-significant weight loss".

The WHO predicts 2.3 billion people will be overweight by 2015 and more than 700 million obese. In the EU, obesity accounts for up to 7% of healthcare costs. This as health systems around the world are under growing pressure to respond with increasingly limited resources.

Melanie Stubbing, President, International of Weight Watchers International Inc., also attending ICO, observed, "Where public health care providers can also provide effective solutions they have intrinsic limitations in terms of time and resources, Weight Watchers is already equipped to support them by delivering effective services at convenient times and locations in accordance with local cultures. Weight Watchers is an effective, affordable and scalable weight management option to complement services provided by overstretched health systems".