GETTING STARTED
CONTENTS
3 Introduction 4 Why Choose Weight Watchers Professional? 7 About Weight Watchers 8 how weight watchers works 9 a lifestyle - not a diet 11 Weight Watchers Professional 14 The Weight of the Nation 16 Obesity rates Weight Watchers Professional GP Portal www.weightwatchers.com.au/professional Login: Password:
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INTRODUCTION For over 50 years Weight Watchers has been helping people reach a healthy sustainable weight and our scientists have been continually updating and improving our approach to weight management. Over the last few decades, a combination of factors has driven a growing level of obesity placing an increasing burden on governments and communities. Nowhere is this burden more keenly felt than in the provision of primary healthcare services. More than 60% of Australian adults and one in four children are now overweight or obese. It is estimated that by 2025 this figure will approach 75% if no changes are made to current education and intervention programs.1 Addressing this crisis requires a multi-sectorial approach using evidence-based solutions to deliver meaningful patient care. I am pleased to announce that Weight Watchers ANZ has developed a referral program – Weight Watchers Professional – especially for general practitioners. The program draws on our experience in the UK working as a provider to the National Health Scheme and evidence from published clinical studies that referral to a Weight Watchers program can deliver better patient outcomes in terms of weight loss, at lower cost than treatment in standard primary care. Weight Watchers remains committed to investments in research and independent evaluations of our program. We believe that working in partnership with patients and general practitioners can not only maximise treatment outcomes, improve patient engagement and increase satisfaction, but offers a cost-effective treatment option for overweight and obese patients.
Dr. Gary Foster, Ph.D Co-Chief Scientific Officer, Weight Watchers International, Inc
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Why Choose Weight Watchers Professional? A body of scientific evidence
The Weight Watchers program is based on the latest scientific thinking and is backed by a comprehensive evidence base. This research includes independent controlled trials, including one conducted in Australia.2 Weight Watchers has made a significant contribution to the science and evidence base for healthy weight management, with more than 80 peer-reviewed publications to date.3 he medically significant level of weight loss T achieved through the Weight Watchers program has proven to be effective in reducing the risk of obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and some types of cancer.4 –6 Weight Watchers is committed to on-going formal independent evaluation and continuous improvement, and consults regularly with renowned experts to ensure our program reflects the latest scientific thinking in weight management.
Integrated with primary healthcare needs
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he Weight Watchers Professional program T is adapted for the Australian healthcare market from a proven program in the UK and after consultation with healthcare practitioners in Australia. egular feedback is provided on patient R progress, and the program includes processes to help ensure continuity of patient care with their general practitioner.
Effective across patient groups
esearch supports that the Weight Watchers R approach works at all grades of overweight and obesity for both men and women, meaning it can successfully be followed by those who have 10 kilograms or 50 kilograms or more to lose.7 n independent panel of 22 diet and nutrition A experts reviewed a variety of weight management plans and ranked Weight Watchers as #1 for: “Best Weight Loss Diet”, “Easiest Diet to Follow” and “ Best Commercial Diet Plan” (US News and World Report, 2014).8 We have millions of members worldwide and countless success stories of those who have lost and maintained weight on the Weight Watchers program.
The Weight Watchers program is designed to support a healthy rate of weight loss of 0.5 to 1.0 kilogram per week.
Safe and healthy
verly rapid weight loss, which can O have detrimental health consequences, is actively discouraged.
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75%
Member satisfaction
‘Extremely Satisfied’ with the program in 2013 –
Convenient, flexible services and support
of Weight Watchers members in Australia were
or
‘VERY Satisfied’
An increase of 8% from 20119
Weight Watchers provides convenient, local support through a network of weekly group meetings run in 469 community locations in Australia and 120 in New Zealand. Meeting times are scheduled throughout the week, including evenings and weekends to meet the varying needs of your patients. esearch shows that meeting participation is R associated with the best weight loss outcomes.7 For this reason, patients referred to Weight Watchers via the Weight Watchers Professional program will be encouraged to attend on a regular basis a community-based meeting near them.
Ongoing support
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e know that ongoing support is critical to W weight loss success. Weight Watchers publishes extensive advice and information on healthy nutrition and weight management via our website, app, emails, monthly magazine and our cookbooks.
ABOUT WEIGHT WATCHERS Weight Watchers is the world’s leading provider of weight management services. Since its founding in 1963, Weight Watchers has helped millions of people achieve healthy sustained weight loss. On any given week, approximately 1 million members attend almost 50,000 Weight Watchers meetings in more than 30 countries around the world. Collectively, members in Australia and New Zealand record over 1.8 million attendances, at nearly 600 meeting locations per year. Weight Watchers is based on the latest scientific thinking in weight management, and the program has been developed and reviewed by a panel of international experts in obesity management.3 The science behind Weight Watchers, including links to peer-reviewed scientific publications and a wealth of independent research on weight management, can be accessed online at: www.weightwatchers.com/health/sciencecenter
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HOW WEIGHT WATCHERS WORKS Our weight loss system is built on four pillars to help ensure healthy and sustained weight loss.
FOUR PILLAR APPROACH 1
2
3
4
BALANCED HEALTHY EATING
REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
ONGOING GROUP SUPPORT
At Weight Watchers, we believe that to lose weight safely and sensibly a person must learn to eat healthier, increase physical activity, create and live in a supportive environment conducive to achieving a healthy weight, and manage the challenges involved in changing behaviours. While the elements of individual weight-loss programs have changed over the years, these fundamental principles, which have been based on years of scientific research and analysis, and decades of experience, have not.
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A LIFESTYLE NOT A DIET The Weight Watchers program is a lifestyle not a diet. We believe it’s important to help members set realistic and achievable weight-loss targets that are safe to work towards over a number of weeks. The Weight Watchers program is designed to target weight losses of 0.5 to 1 kilogram per week, which is consistent with recommendations on healthy levels of weight loss. Weight-loss success in the clinical setting is often defined as 5–10% weight loss. This level of change is associated with measurable improvements in biomarkers of disease risk, including blood pressure, waist circumference and blood glucose levels.5,6,10 A 5% weight loss is a good initial target to work towards. Reassessment of members’ individual weight goals are undertaken throughout the program. Our approach provides a food guidance system that encourages a well-balanced, nutritious diet that includes all food groups and is aligned with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. There is no need for our Weight Watchers members to buy shakes or pre-prepared meals or to eat foods they dislike. Members are taught to make changes in their lifestyle that work for them, while still supporting their weight-loss goal and journey to weight-loss success. A ProPoints® value is allocated to every food and drink based on the protein, carbohydrate, fat and fibre content in a serving. The ProPoints value is determined by a patented algorithm that takes into account the differing energy cost for nutrient metabolism and the variation in nutrient effects on satiety. A member is allocated a ProPoints daily allowance (or budget) depending on their starting weight, goal weight, age, height, and gender. ProPoints can also be earned through physical activity. Although members are taught to make their own food choices within the allocated ProPoints in their plan, the program also encourages members to focus on “Filling and Healthy foods” which are more nutrient-dense, lower in fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium, and higher in dietary fibre. To support the ProPoints system, Weight Watchers ANZ has a food and beverage database with more than 25,000 foods and beverages, including fresh and packaged foods as well as foods from outlets and restaurants.
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This assists members in planning their food and beverage intake in advance, steering them in the direction of smarter food choices. What happens at a Weight Watchers meeting? A Weight Watchers meeting is a weight management workshop where members learn and share strategies for effective weight loss. Meetings are fun, engaging, interactive discussions on a variety of weight-management topics including nutrition, fitness, lifestyle and challenges experienced while losing weight. The meeting is led by a trained Weight Watchers Leader who has had success on the Weight Watchers program and understands the challenges for those trying to lose weight. Members are free to participate as much or as little as they desire and no pressure is put on them to do or say anything. A weekly weigh-in is undertaken before the start of the meeting. The weigh-in is confidential and helps provide accountability and motivation for the member. Our commitment to Meeting Leader training Weight Watchers ANZ has a comprehensive Learning & Development program that includes initial training for all Weight Watchers Leaders. This training covers the science behind our program, as well as behavioural management strategies for successful weight loss. We also provide continuous learning opportunities to up-skill Weight Watchers Leaders in their ability to effectively support the success of our members.
an example of propoints currency ®
®
2
10
®
®
3
®
®
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WEIGHT WATCHERS PROFESSIONAL program
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The Weight Watchers Professional program has been designed in close consultation with healthcare professionals and executives to support general practitioners in the area of weight management to help improve patient outcomes. The program is largely based on the success of the “Weight Watchers By Referral� program which has been running in the UK since 2005 in which doctors can refer patients directly to a Weight Watchers program and receive regular updates on their progress. In the UK, Weight Watchers is a registered provider to the NHS and has provided weight-loss services to over 100 primary care organisations and more than 2,000 GP practices since 2005. An independent national audit of almost 30,000 patients referred to Weight Watchers by primary care organisations in the UK demonstrated consistent outcomes when the program was implemented as part of routine health practices, and showed an average weight loss for those completing a 12-week Weight Watchers program of 5.5% of initial weight.10 Independent research published in the British Medical Journal comparing the efficacy of various programs provided under the NHS showed that the Weight Watchers program delivered the best weight-loss outcomes at 12 weeks and the best sustained weight loss at one year compared to other community-based weight-loss services and primary care weight-loss interventions by healthcare practitioners.11
Figure 1: Patient outcome scores11 Weight Slimming Rosemary Watchers World Conley
NHS group
General Pharmacy practice
Free leisure vouchers/ comparator
Weight loss at 12 weeks (kg)
4.43**
3.56**
4.23**
2.38**
1.37*
2.11**
2.01**
Weight loss at 1 year (kg)
3.46**
1.89**
2.12**
2.45**
0.83
0.66
1.08*
Proportion of group who achieved >5% initial weight loss at 12 weeks
46%
35%
42%
18%
15.7%
21.4%
22%
21%
26% *p<0.05, 21%**p</+0.001. 15.7% 17%to treat. All data14.3% analysed as intention
Proportion of group who sustained >5% 31% Adapted from Jolly K et al. 2011.6 initial weight loss at 1 year BMI reduction at 1 year
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1.17**
0.71**
0.75**
0.67**
0.32
0.31
Adapted from Jolly K et al. 2011.11 *p<0.05, **p</+0.001. All data analysed as intention to treat.
0.45*
Double the weight loss with Weight Watchers
Further evidence to support the efficacy of the Weight Watchers program comes from a randomised controlled clinical trial undertaken in three countries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Australia, Germany and the UK. The study, published in The Lancet, compared weight loss over one year in patients referred by their doctor to a community-based, weight-loss program (Weight Watchers) or treated by their doctor based on national, clinical practice guidelines. The study reported that patients referred to Weight Watchers lost twice as much weight as those receiving standard care and had significantly greater reductions in waist circumference and fat mass.2
Figure 2: Change in weight during 12 months of treatment2 88 Commerical programme Standard care 86
Weight (kg)
84
82
80
78
0 Baseline
2
4
6
9
12
Treatment duration (months) Number of participants Commercial programme
377
333
300
282
240
230
Standard care 395
327
280
250
228
214
Adapted from Jebb SA et al. 2011.2 Data are mean (SE). All measured weights are included at each time point.
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THE WEIGHT OF A NATION The incidence of overweight and obesity has more than doubled in the last 20 years 12,13
63%
2
x
Overweight increaseD and obese individuals have RISK a 3 to 7 fold increase in the risk of developing diabetes 17,18
of adult Australians are now overweight or obese 13,14
obesity vs. smoking Obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia 13
RISKS
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease account for about one quarter of the burden of disease and just under 2/3 of deaths. These conditions often occur together and share risk factors including overweight/ obesity, physical inactivity and hypertension 18â&#x20AC;&#x201C;20
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If current trends continue, it is estimated that almost 75% of Australians will be overweight or obese by 2025 1,15
75% The direct and indirect costs of overweight and obesity in Australia are estimated to be $58.2 billion per annum 19
$58.2B Biggest area
fattest
nations Australia is now one of the fattest nations in the developed world 16
30%
Obese individuals have 30% higher healthcare costs than those of healthy weight 17
The highest incidence of obesity in Sydney is in South West Sydney area (29%), Nepean area (29%) and Western Sydney (27%) compared to just 14% on the Northern Beaches and North Shore 14
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obesity rates 14
20% 37%
(Obesity) (Overweight)
29% 35%
(Obesity) (Overweight)
27% 33%
(Obesity) (Overweight)
14% 36%
(Obesity) (Overweight)
Sydney Northshore & beaches
Nepean-Blue Mountains Western Sydney
21% 35%
Northern SYDNEY
(Obesity) (Overweight)
South Western Sydney
Inner west
South EAstern Sydney
29% 33%
(Obesity) (Overweight)
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28% 28%
(Obesity) (Overweight)
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12-week program outline
after sign-up patient has 1 week to attend first meeting
week
1
ww meeting
2
3
4
5
ww meeting
ww meetings
Appointment reminder
weight watchers (ww) meeting. Patient attends weekly Weight Watchers meeting, where THEIR WEEKLY WEIGHT AND ATTENDANCE is recorded and uploaded to GP/Nurse portal. Appointment reminder will appear in portal. Nurse to confirm appointment is scheduled and if not, contact patient to arrange.
How will I be kept updated on my patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress?
6
ww meeting
Follow-up appointment
Check BMI & comorbidities
7
8
9
ww meetings
10
11
12
ww meeting
Final ww meeting
Appointment reminder
Follow-up appointment
GP/Nurse feedback
Check BMI & comorbidities
At the commencement of the pilot program, your practice will be provided with a web address and login details for the Weight Watchers Professional Portal. At each of the 12, weekly Weight Watchers group meetings, data from the weekly weigh-in will be recorded into an ipad app by the Weight Watchers Leader. Data stored in this app will then be uploaded to the Portal on a weekly basis for you to review. At the 5 and 11-week marks, you will see a pop-up reminder for the week 6 and 12 in-practice follow-up visits. During these visits you may want to discuss the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress, and any feedback regarding the program. For useful talking points and FAQs regarding the week 6 and 12 in-practice follow-up visits, refer to the Consultation Q&A section on the online portal.
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WEIGHT WATCHERS PROFESSIONAL program Weight Watchers Australia is undertaking a pilot study of a general practitioner referral scheme. The pilot is based on discussions with various healthcare professionals and executives as well as our UK Weight Watchers by Referral Program. Your Medical Centre has been especially selected to participate in the Weight Watchers Professional Pilot Program.
Objectives o refine a community-based weight loss programme to support Australian T general practitioners and patients in the area of weight management by testing the logistics and outcomes of the program in a real-life setting o study the needs of both patients and general practitioners in the area T of weight management and identify optimal ways to support them.
12-week GP program patient sign up process Make sure you’ve reviewed the Getting Started Booklet and registered your access to the Weight Watchers Professional Portal. By logging in to the Portal on a regular basis, you can track your patient’s progress and review follow-up appointment notifications.
the gp’s role 1. Identify eligible patients and invite them to participate in the Weight Watchers 12-Week Pilot Program. Patients must have a BMI of 25+ with one comorbidity or BMI of 30 or over with no comorbidities. Patients aged under 18 or with severe mobility issues are unsuitable, as are pregnant women 2. G ive them a brief overview of what the program is about – use the Program Outline provided, in addition to the patient brochure 3. If the patient agrees to participate, refer them to the nurse who will take them through the registration process.
the nurse’s role 1. INTRODUCTION a. I nitiate a brief consultation with the patient, explaining the sign-up process to them. Ensure that the patient has access to a computer with internet to allow them to activate their account b. Go to www.weightwatchers.com.au/gp
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c. Review and accept the Privacy and Consent terms and conditions.
2. REGISTRATION a. Complete the screening questionnaire and select “Continue” b. Proceed to Checkout c. I n the Shopping Cart, enter the Promotion/Discount code assigned to the patient’s General Practitioner and proceed to Checkout d. Follow the 6 easy steps to complete the patient’s registration process. 3. FOLLOW UP a. Make sure the patient books in their week 6 and 12 appointments with their GP. It is encouraged that they see the same GP throughout the pilot b. Inform the patient of the Weight Watchers meetings held in their local area and provide them with a Weight Watchers tracker. Congratulations! The patient is now successfully registered in the Weight Watchers 12-Week GP Program. They will now need to activate their account and attend their first Weight Watchers meeting. If you have any questions regarding the registration process, contact Weight Watchers Customer Service on 13 19 97.
the patient’s role ACCOUNT ACTIVATION The patient will be sent 2 emails: 1) Email containing their tax invoice - patient must retain this email for health rebate purposes if eligible 2) Activation email which contains a unique activation code and a link. The patient will need to have access to a computer with an internet connection, follow the link provided in the email and activate their account. Inform the patient that they will need to re-enter their credit card details but they will not be charged again until the end of the 12-week pilot period.* The patient needs to print out their temporary membership card and take it with them to their first Weight Watchers meeting. * Full
12-Week GP Program fee ($101.77) charged in full upfront. At the end of the 12-week pilot period, you will be placed on our recurring Unlimited monthly plan and your credit card will be automatically charged each month (at the then current monthly rate – currently A$73.50) until you cancel. As your membership will automatically renew at the end of the pilot period (and then each month on our monthly plan until you cancel), you will be charged up to 15 days prior to the end of your currently paid up membership for administrative purposes and to ensure currency of your membership. Therefore if you do not wish to be charged you must cancel before this time, which you can do in the My Profile section of our website. Prices are subject to change at any time. May not be redeemed for cash. Your statutory rights are unaffected. Void where prohibited. All prices are in Australian Dollars and are inclusive of any applicable GST. Because our billing system is based overseas, you may incur an additional charge from your financial institution for an international transaction on each payment you make.
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References: 1. Walls HL et al. Obesity 2012;20:872–8. 2. Jebb SA et al. Lancet 2011;378:1485–92. 3. Weight Watchers. Available at www.weightwatchers.com/health/sciencecenter. Accessed 10 January 2014. 4. Klein S et al. Circulation 2004;110:2952–67. 5. Knowler WC et al. N Engl J Med 2002;346:393–403. 6. Pasanisi F et al. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2001;11:401–6. 7. Johnston C et al. J Nutr Education and Behaviour 2013;45:S31-S32. 8. US News and World Report. Best Diets 2014. Available at http://healthusnews.com/best-diet. Accessed 10 January 2014. 9. Weight Watchers, Data on File. 10. Ahern A et al. BMC Public Health 2011;11:434. 11. Jolly K et al. BMJ 2011;343:1–16. 12. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Available at www.abs.gov.au. Accessed 13 January 2014. 13. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and Obesity. Available at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/overweight-and-obesity/. Accessed on 15 November 2013. 14. National Health Performance Authority, Healthy Communities Report. Overweight and Obesity Rates Across Australia, 2011–12. Oct 2013. Available at http://www.nhpa. gov.au/internet/nhpa/publishing.nsf/Content/Report-Download-HC-Overweight-and-obesity-ratesacross-Australia-2011–12. Accessed 14 January 2014. 15. Haby MM et al. Health Promot Int 2012;27:250–60. 16. OECD. Health at a Glance 2013: OECD Indicators. Available at http://www.oecd.org/els/health systems/Health-at-a-Glance-2013.pdf. Accessed 13 January 2014. 17. Tanamas SK et al. AUSDIAB 2012 The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study. Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 2013. ISBN:0-9578310–3. 18. Abdullah A et al. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2010;89:309-19. 19. Australian Government Department of Health: Preventative Health Taskforce. Technical Paper 1: Obesity in Australia: a need for urgent action. Available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/preventativehealth/ publishing.nsfContent/tech-obesity-toc~tech-obesity-2~tech-obesity-2.1. Accessed 13 January 2014. 20. Cameron AJ et al. Med J Aust 2003;178:427–32. 02/14 WEI0035/UC
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