New Study Recognizes Jenny Craig as Highly Effective, Sustainable Weight Loss Program

CARLSBAD, Calif., April 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Annals of Internal Medicine, the esteemed  journal published by the American College of Physicians (ACP), released today the findings from a new independent study₁ comparing the effectiveness of 11 popular commercial  weight-loss programs, including Jenny Craig. The study reviewed data comparing the rate of weight loss for each of the programs versus control (education or behavioral counseling) among overweight and obese adults.  Jenny Craig was one of the most effective weight loss programs and resulted in greater sustained weight loss at 12 months than those assigned to control groups.

"We applaud the authors of this independent study for reinforcing the importance of scientific scrutiny in the weight loss industry and for recognizing Jenny Craig for having high efficacy and sustained weight loss results at 12 months," said Monty Sharma, CEO and president of Jenny Craig. "While obesity continues to be a significant health risk in the U.S., our program provides the personal support and behavioral strategies that lead to healthy lifestyle change and can provide an effective solution for clinicians. We are gratified that this independent study in a reputable journal has prioritized us as a weight loss solution for patient referrals and that the review showed that Jenny Craig is one of the most effective long-term weight loss solutions."

Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of evidence-based interventions for weight loss given the need for proven obesity services. The authors recommended that health insurers and employers consider providing benefits coverage or incentives of reduced program fees for programs with strong evidence of effectiveness, like Jenny Craig.

Also, the authors point out that regardless of program delivery (in-center versus Jenny Craig Anywhere), program version (traditional versus Jenny Craig for type 2®), and study population (general versus participants with type 2 diabetes), the efficacy was consistent.

The Jenny Craig program features approximately 2,500 consultants worldwide who provide one-on-one personal support and education on portion control, healthy eating, physical activity and the behavioral skills to achieve a balanced, healthy lifestyle.  Jenny Craig consultants work one-on-one with each member to identify their strengths, challenges, personal goals and motivators in order to create personalized weekly meal and activity plans that fit individual needs. Members follow customized menus which include approximately 80 menu items, as well as learn eating strategies such as the Volumetrics® Approach* to help with satiety. 

This independent systematic review was conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research; Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center; and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey. Financial support came from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Johns Hopkins, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

₁Gudzune KA, Doshi RS, Mehta AK, Chaudhry ZW, Jacobs DK, Vakil RM, et al. Efficacy of Commercial Weight-Loss Programs: An Updated Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:501-512. doi:10.7326/M14-2238

You can learn more about the methodology by clicking here: http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2214178

About Jenny Craig:
The Jenny Craig program is designed to provide structure and support to help members lose weight and learn how to keep it off. Jenny Craig's program provides nutritionally-balanced menus, which include approximately 80 delicious entrees, desserts and snacks developed by dietitians, nutritionists, and food technologists. One-on-one consultations provide personal support and education on portion control and strategies such as the Volumetrics® Approach*, which helps with satiety. Jenny Craig consultants work with each member individually to identify their strengths, challenges and personal goals in order to create unique weekly meal and activity plans that fit individual needs. Consultants also help members implement behavioral strategies to support their success. Jenny Craig's comprehensive approach to weight loss is available to members either in person in centers or by phone with Jenny Craig Anywhere. The program is backed by hard science as demonstrated by a 2010 independent two-year clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing that participants on the Jenny Craig program lost three times more weight than dieting on their own. Jenny Craig, based in Carlsbad, CA, is one of the world's largest weight loss and weight management companies, with approximately 600 company-owned and franchised centers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.

*VOLUMETRICS® is a federally registered trademark of Barbara Rolls, PhD, used under exclusive license by Jenny Craig Operations, Inc.

Jenny Craig is a registered trademark. Used under license.

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