Study: Most Popular Diets Are Largely Unsuccessful -- But Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers Are Standouts

PONTIAC (WWJ) -- If you're following a commercial weight-loss program, you might want to think again -- most don't work.

Johns Hopkins researchers recently looked at more than 4,000 studies to see how effective commercial weight loss programs are.

"In a review of the best research available through late 2014, the results suggest that only a few programs have shown that their users lose more weight than those not using them.

Among the findings, the investigators found that of 32 major commercial weight-loss programs marketed nationwide, only 11 have been rigorously studied in randomized controlled trials.

Moreover, they wrote that results in those programs were generally 'modest,' with participants losing on average between 3 and 5 percent more than the studies' control groups of nonprogram participants."

In the findings, Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers were deemed the most effective.

"We want people to experience the health benefits of weight loss -- lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, and lower risk of developing diseases like diabetes," study co-author Jeanne Clark said in the report. "Those benefits are long-term goals; losing weight for three months, then regaining it, has limited health benefits. That's why it's important to have studies that look at weight loss at 12 months and beyond."

Successful programs incorporate nutritional information, goal setting and counseling, which is an important aspect to weight loss, says weight management expert Dr. Tom Rifai from St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital.

"Group support has been shown consistently recognized by the United States Preventive Services Task Force as an essential or -- at least -- best practice when it comes to ongoing behavior modification," Rifai said.

When it comes to successful weight loss, Rifai says that there are no short cuts.

"We have to accept it's not easy and there is no quick fix that's ever been proven or shown to work," Rifai said.