Researchers have stated that greater weight loss can take place with a commercial weight loss club’s membership as compared to following NHS’ group counseling or individual counseling advice only.

In England, out of four people, one is classed obese and rising obesity rates are a key public health concern now. This rise also leads to various health problems like heart diseases, diabetes and more.

Weight-loss support and counseling is what guidelines advise doctors to provide overweight patients with, but the NHS does not have enough resources available.

Whereas when it comes to commercial weight-loss programmes, they are widespread. There are certain areas where these services are provided to patients free of cost.

For this practice, some support is given by research. There has been a recent study that shows, over 12 months, people who joined a commercial weight loss club lost double the weight as compared to people who took NHS counseling alone.

A study was carried out by researchers who divided people into two groups and asked one group to follow NHS usual care and one group was given vouchers to a local leisure centre.

When 12 weeks completed, it was seen that people who had joined the Weight Watchers group had lost more than the lowest for nurse-led counseling.