Weight Loss Programs: Reviews

ConsumerReports.org: Seven weight-loss programs, including Weight Watchers, are evaluated and rated.

U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report asks a panel of health and diet experts to review and rank 20 diets.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association: This study compares the dietary quality of eight weight-loss plans.

Obesity Reviews: This review analyzes 39 weight-loss studies that focused on diets and lifestyle modifications.

The Journal of the American Medical Association: This article details the results of a two-year study comparing dieters on the Weight Watchers plan and those on a self-help plan.

British Medical Journal: The BBC's "Diet Trials" is a reality TV show and accompanying medical study that follows the ups and downs of 293 dieters on either Weight Watchers, the Atkins Diet, Slim-Fast, Rosemary Conley's "Eat Yourself Slim" (a U.K.-based diet and exercise program) or a self-regulated control group.

Health Magazine: Health magazine reviews more than 40 diets and weight-loss programs, and describes Weight Watchers as healthy and effective in helping dieters lose weight.

WebMD.com: WebMD provides a detailed review of the Weight Watchers diet.

Viewpoints.com: The Weight Watchers program receives more than 825 user reviews, earning an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5; 91 percent recommend the diet.

CBS Moneywatch: Jeanne Lee reviews eight of the most popular diet plans, including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem.

The Journal of the American Medical Association: Researchers observe more than 400 overweight or obese women for two years as they either follow a Jenny Craig protocol provided free of charge or receive "usual care." Although the Jenny Craig participants lost more weight than the usual care subjects, the high retention rate may be unrealistic once you factor in the program's high cost.

ConsumerReports.org: Editors discuss and rate seven weight-loss programs, including Jenny Craig.

U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report asks a panel of health and diet experts to review and rank 20 diets.

CBS Moneywatch: MoneyWatch interviews nutritionists and weight-loss professionals, and analyzes clinical studies to evaluate eight commercial diets.

Health Magazine: Health magazine recommends skipping Jenny Craig.

WebMD.com: WebMD interviews Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, about the Jenny Craig program.

ConsumerReports.org: Two sensory testers evaluate a week's worth of food from two prepackaged diet plans.

Epicurious.com: Epicurious.com tests diet meals from five companies, including Jenny Craig.

Viewpoints.com: Jenny Craig earns 3.6 stars out of 5 in more than 50 reviews.

Better Business Bureau: Jenny Craig gets an "F" (worst possible) rating from the Better Business Bureau.

U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report asks a panel of health and diet experts to review and rank 20 diets.

Health: Health magazine praises Volumetrics as one of the top 10 healthiest diet plans, noting that wanting to feel full is a "fundamental human quality." Of the diets compared, Volumetrics scores the highest for a safe rate of weight loss, and for being based on sound nutrition.

WebMD.com: WebMD praises the author's "excellent credentials" and consults three nutritionists for their opinions.

Amazon.com: Almost 100 reviewers give the first Volumetrics book a rating of 4.6 stars out of 5.

ConsumerReports.org: eDiets.com is evaluated along with seven other diet plans.

Obesity: In this study, 255 healthy overweight and obese adults participate in a six-month behavioral weight-control program conducted over interactive TV. Subjects receive in-person or Internet support to help control their weight.

CBS Moneywatch: MoneyWatch consults with nutritionists and weight-loss professionals to evaluate eight diet plans.

Women's Health magazine: The author consults with nutritionists to evaluate five of the most popular diet websites, including eDiets.com, which gets a grade of "A-." Although some of the diet plans eDiets.com supports are excellent, the author calls others "not-so-good," and an expert describes one in particular as "not scientifically sound."

Epicurious.com: Epicurious.com compares the quality of prepared food of five popular weight-loss programs: eDiets.com, the Zone, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and PureFoods.

NextAdvisor.com: NextAdvisor.com conducts in-depth reviews of about a dozen diets.

Better Business Bureau: eDiets.com once had an "F" ranking with the Better Business Bureau but has since been upgraded to a "B-". As of January 2011, more than 200 customer complaints had been filed against eDiets.com in the past 36 months; as of December 2011, more than half had lapsed off the counter (which displays 95 complaints in the past 36 months), indicating that fewer consumers are filing complaints.

Epinions.com: eDiets.com earns a 3.5-check rating (out of 5) in more than 240 user reviews.

TopDiets.com: eDiets.com receives about a dozen user reviews.