Research
Adherence
Internet-based commercial weight loss programs (e.g., eDiets.com) produce minimal weight loss (1.1% at 1 year) and are not recommended based on current evidence.
Internet-based programs like eDiets.com are convenient but produce minimal weight loss (1.1% at 1 year). They are not recommended for significant weight loss. If you choose to use one, be aware that it is unlikely to produce substantial results without additional support.
LimitedRefutesLOW confidence
Commercial interventions available over the Internet and organized self-help programs produced minimal weight loss... Currently, minimal evidence exists to recommend the use of commercial Internet-based interventions.
Why this rating
Based on a single RCT with high attrition and potential bias (best-case scenario).
Source
Systematic Review: An Evaluation of Major Commercial Weight Loss Programs in the United States
Adam Gilden Tsai et al. · Annals of Internal Medicine · 2005
DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-142-1-200501040-00012
systematic_reviewCited 812×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Medically supervised very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) programs (e.g., OPTIFAST, Health Management Resources) produce significant short-term weight loss (15-25%) but are associated with high attrition and substantial long-term weight regain (maintaining only 5-9% loss at 1-4 years).Moderate
- Weight Watchers, a nonmedical commercial program, produces modest weight loss (3.2% at 2 years) with higher adherence than self-help interventions, but evidence for other major commercial programs (Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss) is suboptimal.Moderate
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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