Evaluation of Healthy Choices: a commercial weight loss programme commissioned by the NHS

The aim of this study is to identify factors that influence successful weight loss in an NHS-funded commercial weight loss programme.

Baseline height, weight, body mass index (BMI), age, gender, address, date of referral, referrer and 12-week attendance and weight were measured. Participants were classified as having achieved successful weight loss if they had > 5% weight loss and 'completers' if they had attended at least 10 of the 12 free sessions. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate predictors of successful weight loss. Predictors tested in regression analyses were initial weight, number of meetings attended, deprivation, age and gender.

In total, 2,456 (87%) of referred participants were given vouchers to attend a commercial weight loss programme for 12 weeks. The majority of the participants were female and the mean age group was 45-54 years. Almost half (44%) of all patients referred had > 5% weight loss at 12 weeks. A statistically significant difference was found in the mean weight loss between completers (6.1 kg, SD 3.7) and drop outs (2.2 kg, SD 2.5). Participants who had successful weight loss were significantly more likely to be older, male and in obese class I. They were also significantly more likely to have attended more meetings.

Commercial weight loss programmes produce successful weight loss in the short term. There was no difference in successful weight loss between providers and deprivation quintiles. Age, gender, initial BMI and number of meetings attended are all predictors of successful weight loss.