Health target of 5-10% weight loss in 6 months

Data from a number of research studies on Slimming World members including those attending through referral from primary and secondary care (Slimming World on Referral) show that the health target of 5-10% weight loss over 6 months is achieved in a significant percentage of members.

• In line with current health targets one of Slimming World’s targets is to help members achieve and maintain a 10% loss in body weight.  A study of 5,000 member records shows that the average BMI of our members on joining is 32kg/m².  On average our members lose 10% body weight within 13 weeks, irrespective of starting weight, and that 6 months later, over 90% of those who still attend Slimming World had maintained their loss or gone on to lose more weight.
• In the Slimming World on Referral feasibility study, mean weight loss of obese patients completing 12 weeks was 6.4% (SD 3.0) and in those completing 24 weeks 11.3% (SD 4.6).
  
  Lavin J.H, Avery A, Whitehead S.M, Rees E, Parsons J, Bagnall T, Barth J.H. & Ruxton C.H.S. 2006. Feasibility and benefits of implementing a Slimming on Referral service in primary care using a commercial weight management partner. Public Health. 120(9), pp872-881.
• A survey of recently established Slimming World men-only groups showed that of men who had been attending for 12 weeks (n=53), 91% had reduced their weight by at least 5%, 34% of which had lost at least 10%.  Of those who had been members for 24 weeks (n=16), all had lost 5% of their body weight and the majority (69%) had lost 10% or more.
  
  Bye, C, Avery A & Lavin J.  Tackling obesity in men: preliminary evaluation of men-only groups within a commercial slimming organisation.  Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics 18(5), 2005.
• Data from a study following 240 new members for 12 weeks, showed that mean weight loss over 12 weeks was 4.8kg (6% weight loss). 54% achieved > 5% weight loss with 15% achieving >10% loss. Mean attendance was 9.7 weeks.  63% were still attending at 12 weeks; of these, average attendance was 11 weeks and weight loss 6.2kg (7.3%).
  
  Powell C. Lavin J. Russell J. & Barker M. Factors associated with successful weight loss and attendance at a commercial slimming group. International Journal of Obesity 28 (suppl.1): S144, May 2004
• Member retention is a key measure of success with over 80% members retained each month and, average length of stay in well established groups exceeding 52 weeks.