APPENDIX 48
Supplementary memorandum by Slimming World
(OB 105B)
10% WEIGHT LOSS MAINTENANCE
During the session I was asked to provide further
information regarding our data on members' maintenance of weight
loss. 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 (those achieving this target become Slimming World
Club 10 members). Last year we conducted research looking at weight
record data of 5,000 members currently attending our groups. The
research data showed that the average joining Body Mass Index
of our members is 32kg/m2. From records of those members who had
been attending a sufficient length of time to achieve a 10% weight
loss it was found that on average our members lose 10% body weight
within 13 weeks, irrespective of starting weight. We can only
report longer-term weight control of members whilst they are still
attending our groups and weight change is being recorded. We found
from records of members who were still attending 6 months after
achieving a 10% weight loss that over 90% had maintained this
weight loss or gone on to lose more weight. Although actual numbers
of members in the dataset who had been attending our groups for
12 months or longer was reduced, it was found that 12 months later
over 80% of members still attending their group will have maintained
at least a 10% weight loss.
We believe this data shows that if people continue
to follow a healthy slimming diet and receive ongoing support
and encouragement then they can be very successful in achieving
and maintaining a healthy weight loss. Slimming World groups are
ideally placed to be able to offer this ongoing frequent support,
advice and encouragement. We have an established network of groups,
situated in convenient community locations offering a choice of
times, for example morning classes for young parents, and evening
classes for those who work full time.
MAINTENANCE OF
WEIGHT LOSS
Maintenance of weight loss is a very important
part of Slimming World's approach. As part of our service to help
members maintain their weight loss long term, we invite those
reaching their personal target weight (this is personally chosen
by the member and can be whatever weight they wish, decided whenever
they wish) to attend group meetings as Lifetime Slimming World
members completely free of charge for as long as they wish. We
currently have 12,000 attending target members.
However, we do not measure our success by the
number of attending target members as many decide to visit the
group less frequently and some decide they are happy to "go
it alone" once they reach a target they are happy with. Our
aim is to empower members to make lifestyle changes to manage
their weight—changes which they can comfortably make for
life. It is our aim to support and guide members in raising their
awareness to ways in which they sabotage their slimming success
and in finding their own solutions so they can successfully continue
to manage their weight long term. Some members take advantage
of being able to continue attending a group free of charge to
benefit from continued support, and for many it becomes part of
their social life, enjoying meeting with friends each week and
helping others with their weight loss. Others decide that they
are able to continue managing their weight without the need to
attend group meetings. Importantly, if members leave but decide
to come back later, as Lifetime members they are always welcome.
We know that some members do leave and rejoin
at a later date if they feel they need support once again in managing
their weight and for some this practice of rejoining when needed
is a very effective way of managing their weight long term. Data
from our Slimming on Referral study showed that at times other
lifestyle factors and stresses become a priority over weight management,
which will affect continued attendance. Helping people mange their
own expectations, see things in perspective and decide whether
a weight loss goal is still important to them (at the moment)
is all part of our philosophy. Using a number of advanced psychological
and behavioural modification tools, Slimming World Consultants
help members to address such issues as identifying personal goals,
setting behavioural goals and effective planning to develop long-term
lifestyle changes (example SAS and FIT logs are enclosed). Members
can choose to hold their weight at any point (as a temporary personal
target) and meet with their group free of charge to maintain their
new weight until they feel ready to re-evaluate their goals and
decide whether or not to move towards a lower target. It is their
choice entirely. Our role is to support them in their decision
and help them achieve the goals they set. It is important to be
able to offer help and support when a person requires it and feels
ready to tackle their weight. This is one advantage of the commercial
sector as we are able to provide a service as and when people
require and, within the commercial sector, only Slimming World
provides this particular kind of motivational and psychological
help to its members.
FEEDBACK OF
PATIENT WEIGHT
LOSS INFORMATION
TO HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS
The question of the possibility of providing
a member's GP with information on their weight loss progress was
also raised. Slimming World pioneered Slimming on Referral in
2000 with a study set up in collaboration with Southern Derbyshire
Health Authority to investigate the practicality and feasibility
of running schemes enabling health professionals to refer patients
into a local Slimming World group. This included feedback of patients'
weight loss data. The study proved very successful in terms of
weight loss success, improvements in general well-being of patients
and practicality of the scheme (a full report has been submitted
by my colleague Amanda Avery, Greater Derby PCT). The scheme ran
with the use of vouchers issued to patients by the GP or practice
nurse. The vouchers covered membership and 12 weeks attendance
at a Slimming World group. Each week the member handed in a coded
voucher, on which the Slimming World Consultant recorded the member's
weight change and returned it to Head Office as part of their
normal weekly administration. Members' attendance and weight change
was recorded on a database and information provided to the GP
at the end of the trial.
Following the success of this initial trial,
Slimming on Referral has been launched as a nationwide scheme
and a database programme produced in order to record weight loss
and attendance information of referred members. Schemes will again
operate with the use of vouchers enabling attendance and weight
loss information to be easily logged within our usual administration
procedures and fed back to a member's GP on completion of their
slimming course. Slimming on Referral is offered to primary and
secondary care at a reduced cost of £44.50 for an initial
12 weeks of membership and attendance. 12 week continuation packs
are also available at a reduced cost of £39.50 for patients
who wish to continue after completing the initial 12 week course.
Schemes can be set up to run in accordance with the requirements
of individual health care teams to ensure efficient running of
the scheme and co-ordinated monitoring of progress.
HEALTH BENEFITS
OF WEIGHT
LOSS
I would also like to confirm that provision
of information regarding the health benefits of weight loss is
very much part of our overall service to members. Importantly,
we not only aim to help our members improve their health through
the adoption of healthy eating habits, increases in physical activity
and weight loss, but one of Slimming World's primary aims is to
raise members' self-esteem, feelings of self-worth and confidence
through the support we give in a warm, friendly and non-judgemental
atmosphere.
All Slimming World members receive information
regarding the potential benefits of a loss of 10% body weight
within their membership book (copy enclosed). The health risks
of excess accumulation of body fat around the abdominal region
is also highlighted and focus on changes in waist measurement
is also emphasised, particularly within our men's strategy where
BMI change may not always be the most appropriate tool. Information
of the health benefits of weight loss is also covered regularly
within our magazine, on our websites and discussed within group
meetings. Slimming World Consultants are provided with information
on various aspects of healthy eating, weight loss and health.
This information is used for general discussion, however, it must
be emphasised that our Consultants do not provide specific information
or advice regarding a member's medical condition and personal
needs, and members are always encouraged to consult their doctor
regarding their individual medical and dietary needs.
THE HEALTH
BENEFITS OF
INCREASING PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY LEVELS
The health benefits of increasing physical activity
levels and incorporating regular physical activity in the lifestyle
is also very much promoted within our groups and literature. Last
year, Slimming World introduced Body Magic, a programme to encourage
and support members in increasing their levels of physical activity
in order to improve general health and well-being, and aid weight
loss. The Body Magic programme is designed to:
— raise people's awareness of the benefits
of regular physical activity
— help them explore misconceptions
and misapprehensions
— show them how easy and accessible
regular physical activity can be
— use the power of group therapy to
build up commitment to be physically active on a regular basis
— support and encourage members in
turning new skills into a routine
— recognise all the commitment and
effort with a unique framework of awards to maintain motivation
for lifelong health benefit.
All members receive information on the benefits
of regular physical activity and Slimming World Consultants are
provided with a toolkit to help them include promotion of the
benefits of physical activity within their group meetings in the
form of discussions, quizzes and individual support for example.
We see evidence of the health benefits of our
members' weight loss daily within our group meetings and within
our various competition entries, with members reporting improvements
in numerous health conditions and reductions in the requirement
for medication. For example we regularly learn of members reporting
improvements in asthma symptoms, those with type 2 diabetes finding
they no longer need medication, members who found it difficult
to walk becoming far more active and others reporting high blood
pressure now lowered and heart conditions eased. We believe our
Consultants are helping hundreds of members improve the quality
of their life every week.
I hope this additional information helps answer
the questions raised at the meeting.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if the
Committee requires any further information. We are happy to help
with the inquiry in any way we can and would be delighted to welcome
committee members to Head Office or to any of our group meetings.
12 January 2004
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