Overview
weight loss
The 6-month intervention included WW’s mobile app (beta version of the PersonalPoints program), weekly group virtual workshops, weekly one-on-one virtual check-ins, and an invitation to a private members-only digital community. The PersonalPoints program guides members toward their weight and wellness goals through a weekly curriculum that is complemented by specific behavioral goals each week across 4 main pillars (food, activity, sleep, and mindset) to drive healthy habits. The WW program is based on recommendations by national and international guidelines to form the foundation for a healthy pattern of eating [The personalized aspects of the program are as follows. Participants receive a daily PersonalPoints budget based on their age, height, weight, sex, and breastfeeding status. The PersonalPoints budget is dynamic to the extent that these factors not only change, but the participants’ daily PersonalPoints budget also increases when they consume nonstarchy vegetables and water. The personalized dietary plans include >28,000 options, depending on user inputs. Participants also receive a weekly PersonalPoints budget that gives them extra points to use throughout the week. The weekly budget is dynamic, based on changes in age, weight, and the amount of physical activity. Once a member has spent all their daily PersonalPoints, they may spend their weekly PersonalPoints. Up to 4 unused daily PersonalPoints are automatically rolled over into the weekly PersonalPoints budget, but each participant has the option to turn off rollovers to expedite weight loss. Participants also receive a personalized ZPF list based on their food preferences, which they may change at any time. WW has >300 ZPFs. Food preferences are assessed with the questions presented in Participants were asked to complete their profile and log their food intake and exercise daily, weigh in at least once a week but no more than daily, and attend the weekly virtual workshops and individual check-ins. When participants hit a weight loss milestone, they were sent small keychains to commemorate the milestone they achieved (eg, 5 lb, 10 lb, 15 lb, 20 lb, and 25 lb).