Weight-Loss Programs: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentResearchers at the University of Surrey compare the weight loss and health benefits of four commercial diets. The study tracks 300 overweight or obese individuals for six months as they follow either "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution," Slim-Fast, Weight Watchers, Rosemary Conley's "Eat Yourself Slim" or a control diet. All participants lost weight (between 11 and 20 pounds), with no significant difference between the diets. Weight Watchers and "Eat Yourself Slim" lowered LDL (bad) cholesterol in participants, but researchers observed no negative heart effects within the six-month study period in subjects following the Atkins or Slim-Fast plans. "No detrimental effects on lipid-based CVD risk factors were observed in participants consuming a low-carbohydrate diet," researchers conclude.

Our AssessmentIn this clinical study, 311 overweight/obese premenopausal women are randomly assigned to follow the Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet, LEARN or Dean Ornish "Eat More, Weigh Less" diets for 12 months. Weight loss is greatest in the Atkins Diet group but not statistically different among subjects following the Zone, LEARN and Ornish diets. Health outcomes -- including lipid profiles, triglycerides and blood pressure (for the Atkins Diet) -- are comparable to or more favorable than the other diet groups. Although questions remain about long-term effects, a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet may be a feasible alternative recommendation for weight loss, according to these results.

Our AssessmentThis study randomly assigns 160 overweight individuals to the Atkins, Dean Ornish's "Eat More, Weigh Less," Weight Watchers or Zone diets. At the one-year mark, 25 percent of participants who stuck to their diets lost more than 5 percent of their body weight, regardless of which plan they followed. There is no correlation between the weight a person lost and the diet he or she was on. What does make a difference across the board is whether an individual stuck to the plan, which those on Weight Watchers and the Zone Diet were more likely to do. It appears that sticking to a diet is more important than the type of diet.

Our AssessmentSwiss researchers analyze six trials that compare low-fat diets to the Mediterranean diet. They conclude after two years of follow-up that the Mediterranean diet appears to be more effective than low-fat diets for inducing "clinically relevant long-term changes in cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers." It's unclear whether the studies analyzed are based on a single specific interpretation of the Mediterranean diet, or more than one interpretation.

Our AssessmentTwo sensory testers taste dozens of food products from the Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem Basic and Select meal plans. Although the items aren't reviewed for nutrition or cost, this provides an interesting breakdown of which diet tastes better, with one taking a slight edge.

Our AssessmentTwenty-two diet experts, including nutritionists and medical specialists, review U.S. News' detailed assessments of 26 diets. The evaluations took six months to complete, and drew on reputable sources such as medical journals and government reports, plus unspecified "other sources." The expert panel then ranks each diet on a scale of 1 to 5 in seven categories. Those that receive a "best" ranking overall are effective for weight loss as well as relatively easy to follow, offer appropriate nutrition, and help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. While Jenny Craig ranks as one of the best for weight loss, it doesn't qualify for the overall category due in part to its potentially prohibitive cost. Weight Watchers comes out on top in the commercial diet plan division.

Our AssessmentThis study evaluates Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a nonprofit weight-loss program that's available at a much lower cost than commercial diets. The study examines results for more than 40,000 members, and finds that those who stuck with the program for a year or more lost about 6 percent of their body weight. "TOPS is associated with moderate weight loss among participants who remain in the program for at least 1 year," the researchers conclude, adding that it provides "similar results" to commercial weight-loss programs. However, experts acknowledge that trials comparing TOPS to commercial plans like Weight Watchers are still needed.

Our AssessmentConsumers Union, the publisher of ConsumerReports.org, tests 24 diet entrees, including 22 frozen meals from brands such as Smart Ones, Healthy Choice, Weight Watchers and Kashi. The meals are rated on taste and nutrition, and eight frozen diet entrees earn a recommendation. One brand receives very good taste and nutrition ratings for all of its tested meals.

Our AssessmentA two-year trial in Israel assigns 322 moderately obese subjects to a low-carb, Mediterranean or low-fat diet. The Mediterranean and low-fat groups are limited to 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day, but the low-carbohydrate group can consume unlimited calories. Dietitians meet with each group throughout the study both in person and over the telephone. After two years, subjects on the low-carb and Mediterranean diets lost more weight than those eating low-fat. Women lost the most weight on the Mediterranean diet, and men lost the most on the low-carb plan.

Our AssessmentThis 36-month trial follows 1,032 obese or overweight adults as they lose weight for six months, then attempt to keep it off. At the end of the study, 71 percent of subjects were still below their starting weight, although all regained some of the weight they had lost. In the maintenance phase of the trial participants self-monitored, received personal-contact intervention or used computer-based tools. Personal intervention (monthly check-ins by phone) was found to be the most effective tool for weight-loss maintenance. There is little difference between the outcomes of the self-directed and technology-based groups.

Our AssessmentEating excessive amounts of added sugar, particularly fructose, is a possible cause of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Researchers divide more than 130 patients into two groups -- a low-fructose diet or a moderate-fructose diet, using natural sources of fructose -- and track their weight loss and other health markers for six weeks. During this time, the moderate-fructose group shows superior weight-loss results.

Our AssessmentThe BBC's "Diet Trials" is a medical study (also chronicled as reality TV) following the ups and downs of 293 dieters on Weight Watchers, the Atkins Diet, Slim-Fast, Rosemary Conley's "Eat Yourself Slim" (a U.K.-based diet and exercise program) and a self-regulated control group. The BBC sponsors the study and funds the dieters for six months. Study authors find that dieters who stick to a plan lose about the same amount of weight, regardless of which plan they follow. Beyond the sponsored study, dieters who report continued success are those on the Weight Watchers and "Eat Yourself Slim" plans, suggesting that these diets are easier to stick to long term than Slim-Fast and the Atkins Diet.

Our AssessmentThis study from St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto examines a new twist on the popular low-carb diet, dubbed Eco-Atkins, that's based on vegetable instead of animal protein. This version includes more carbohydrates than the original Atkins Diet, but is completely vegan. Researchers put 47 overweight individuals on either a low-carb, vegetable-protein diet heavy in soy, gluten and nuts, or a high-carb, lacto-ovo diet that includes animal-based proteins such as milk and cheese. Both groups achieved roughly equal weight loss, but the vegetable-protein group saw "lipid-lowering advantages" over the high-carb group.

Our AssessmentJeanne Lee reviews eight of the most popular diet plans in this comprehensive comparative review. She interviews nutrition and health experts, and looks at the latest clinical studies to determine which weight-loss plans are best for most dieters. Membership and food costs are also considered. The diets aren't rated, but Lee includes a bottom-line recommendation on whether they're worth the money. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Bistro MD and Nutrisystem all earn enthusiastic recommendations, as does the online-only eDiets.

Our AssessmentHealth magazine uses a panel of nutrition experts to evaluate more than 60 popular diets. Of those, 10 are recommended for providing a good balance of nutrition, calorie control, motivation and exercise. Reviews of each program are nicely balanced and include comments from diet experts. Unfortunately, Health hasn't updated this review to account for the latest research and diet plans.

Our AssessmentResearchers compile data from clinical studies, rating 10 diet plans on weight loss, participant retention and changes in BMI. Although a gallery entry for each diet displays its ranking and individual ratings by category, there's no overall rating to make direct comparisons easy.

Our AssessmentJanuary Payne evaluates six diet plans, including Volumetrics, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. The diets don't receive a numerical rating, but experts give their feedback on each program. In the end, no weight-loss plan is recommended over any other, although the expert analysis is worth a read.

Our AssessmentResearchers analyze five scientific studies involving nearly 4,000 participants to assess the use of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), described as "a model of intentional change," in weight management. TTM predicts the possible outcomes as an individual adapts to a new behavior -- in this case, a weight-loss regimen -- and could be used as a tool for generating information on appropriate weight-loss strategies. Researchers find no conclusive evidence that TTM caused sustainable weight loss in participants, but speculate that its efficacy may vary depending on how it's employed and what other strategies are applied.

Our AssessmentVarious experts react to the recently released U.S. News & World Report diet rankings. Although no diet plans are reviewed or compared specifically, this article offers a variety of tips and feedback about individual diet programs. For example, one dietitian warns that a meal-replacement diet may be good for short-term weight loss, but ultimately "cripples your ability to plan your own meals." A nutritionist and author points out that "no one diet fits all."

Our AssessmentThis article from Quick & Simple magazine, reprinted at Delish.com, reviews six popular diet plans and weight-loss websites, including eDiets.com, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and Nutrisystem. The diets aren't rated, but pros and cons are clearly noted. Editors also list the best type of diet for various types of people.

Our AssessmentDozens of popular diets, including Dr. Phil's "The Ultimate Weight Solution," "The South Beach Diet" and Slim-Fast, are reviewed here, starting with what the diet entails and how it works, and ending with a bottom-line recommendation and an expert's view. The diets aren't rated, which makes it difficult to compare them or pick the best ones, but the detailed analysis is extremely helpful for evaluating individual weight-loss plans.

Our AssessmentReporter Melinda Beck examines the popular cookie diets -- Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet, Hollywood Cookie Diet and Smart for Life -- to see if they can actually lead to long-term weight loss. In the end, she says they may work for some people, but warns not to expect miracles. In addition, 10 staffers test cookies from each plan to see which taste the best and do the best job of staving off hunger. The best-tasting cookie is the Hollywood Cookie Diet's chocolate chip cookie, which Beck says tastes similar to a real cookie but has an "odd aftertaste." Dr. Siegal's cookies have lower scores, to which the founder responds: "I'm Dr. Siegal, not Mrs. Fields."

Our AssessmentNicole Yorio tests six weight-loss programs that include food delivery. Each is evaluated for two weeks, and pros and cons are clearly noted along with tester comments and a bottom-line conclusion. Yorio says eDiets.com provides "the most bang for your buck," but the six diets aren't rated for comparison.

Our AssessmentThe same lead researcher who studied whether increased protein and dairy intake affect weight loss and lean muscle mass gain (they do) tackles whether consuming more dairy and protein also supports bone health. She and her team conclude that additional protein, dairy and calcium intake appears to support bone health better than adequate protein but medium- or low-dairy consumption.

Our AssessmentMadeline Vann interviews a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, who recommends weight-loss diets appropriate for those with type 2 diabetes. The dietitian calls DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) the best weight-loss program, and offers a brief analysis of six other popular diets, including South Beach, Weight Watchers and the GI Diet. Although Vann and her expert consultant don't directly compare these diets, this article is still valuable reading for anyone who has type 2 diabetes and wants to lose weight.

Our AssessmentTopTenReviews.com rates and ranks 10 popular online diet services on various criteria including food, exercise, community and ease of use. Each diet plan gets a lengthy review that explains the ratings in more detail. eDiets.com is the top-rated service, followed by Diet.com, Dietwatch.com and Fast Track to Fat Loss.