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Encore Abstract Poster Session 3

(EA03-08-25) Beyond Weight-loss, Can Commercial Programs Effectively Improve Psychosocial Health?

Monday, June 2, 2025
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board D-13

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Ana Palacios, MD, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Georgia Southern University
    Savannah, Georgia, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AL

    Alexandra Lee

    WW International, Inc, United States

  • CW

    Cullun M. Watts

    Georgia Southern University
    Savannah, Georgia, United States

  • CP

    Chelsie Parker

    Biostatistics Consulting Center, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, United States

  • SD

    Stephanie Dickinson

    Biostatistics Consulting Center, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, United States

  • BH

    Beate Henschel

    Biostatistics Consulting Center, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, United States

  • JK

    Jing M. Kersey

    Georgia Southern University
    Savannah, Georgia, United States

  • DA

    David Allison

    Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, United States

  • GF

    Gary Foster

    University of Pennsylvania, United States

  • MC

    Michelle Cardel

    WW International, Inc, United States

Disclosure(s):
Ana Palacios, MD, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Scientific conference where the work was recently presented: ObesityWeek 2024 (The Obesity Society)

Date on which the work was previously presented at the scientific conference listed: November 6, 2024

Objectives: Outcomes from commercial weight management programs (CP) have focused mainly on weight loss, and less attention has been paid to dietary and psychosocial factors that are important for holistic health among people living with overweight or obesity (OW/OB). The objective of this study was to assess the relative effectiveness of a CP in important obesity-related psychosocial outcomes, compared to standard nutrition guidance (SNG). 

Methods: A 6-month randomized controlled trial (NCT05648344) was conducted among 376 US adults living with OW/OB. 187 participants were randomized to a CP (WeightWatchers), and 189 received standard nutrition guidance (SNG). Intention-to-treat analysis comparing changes in diet quality (HEI-2020), weight outcomes, and established measures of weight bias internalization, eating disorder pathology, body appreciation, self-compassion, and weight-related quality of life (QOL) were assessed via ANCOVA or logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, race, ethnicity, education, and baseline values.

Results: Participants’ mean ±SD age was 47.7 ± 12.2 yr; 7.4% self-identified as Asian; 13.8% Black; 6.4% Other; 9.6% Hispanic; 20.7% male;  baseline BMI was 33.6 ±4.7kg/m2. At 6 months, CP participants improved their HEI by mean (SE) 5.3 (1.5) vs. SNG participants, 1.1 (1.4); mean difference (SE) 4.2 (1.2), p< 0.001. CP participants lost more % body weight, -5.4 (0.9) vs. SNG participants -1.5 (0.8), mean diff (SE) -3.9 (0.7), p< 0.001. Odds Ratios (OR) for achieving 3-, 5-, and 10% weight loss in CP participants vs. SNG were: 3% OR: 2.7; 95%CI (1.7 - 4.3); 5% OR: 3.3; 95%CI (2.1 - 5.4); and 10% OR:7.1; 95%CI (3.2 - 15.8). Significantly greater improvements (p < 0.05) were noted in the CP vs. SNG for weight bias internalization, mean diff (SE) -0.3 (0.1); eating disorder pathology -0.2 (0.1); body appreciation 0.2 (0.1); self-compassion 0.2 (0.1); and weight-related QOL 5.6 (1.2).  

Conclusions: This CP was significantly more effective in producing weight loss and improving important psychosocial aspects of living with OW/OB relative to SNG.

Funding Sources: WW International Inc.