Statement from Weight Watchers on Consumer Reports story

Newswise — We are disappointed some key points in the JAMA study used prominently by Consumer Reports in their evaluation of the Jenny Craig program were left unsaid. The JAMA study, Effect of a Free Prepared Meal and Incentivized Weight Loss Program on Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance in Obese and Overweight Women, was done to see what happens if you provide people with free food (valued at $6000 over the two years) and other perks on their ability to lose weight. This is hardly the real life scenario that a consumer faces when choosing a weight-loss method. Weight Watchers advocates and teaches how to live in the real world. With Weight Watchers, people learn to make smart choices - including an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains - all foods encouraged in the Weight Watchers program and advice recommended by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Although there are more than 60 studies on Weight Watchers lifestyle approach, Consumer Reports did not include those in its analysis because we recently launched a major upgrade. Clinical data on the new PointsPlus Program are in the process of being published. Representatives from Weight Watchers are available for live or recorded interviews.