University of Missouri researchers compared the body composition of women on the Weight Watchers plan with those participating in gym membership programs. In the study of 43 overweight and obese women, those who attended Weight Watchers for 12 weeks lost about nine pounds. That was the good news. The down side was that a large percentage of the lost weight was lean tissue (or muscle) and not fat, according to the Bod Pod measurement of body composition, so their body fat percentage didn't improve. "Losing lean tissue often slow metabolism," said lead author Steve Ball, an MU Extension state fitness specialist. "What your body is made of is more important than what you weigh."
Exercise is one way to preserve lean tissue. And while the women in the exercise group lost very little weight, they probably improved their health because CT scans showed they lost a significant amount of fat around their vital organs, Ball said.
Bonnie - exercise is very important to keep lean muscle tissue. Unfortunately, in this case, the Weight Watchers program does not allow for adequate protein intake to equal the body's needs. In addition of their private label foods as well as regular foods they recommend are loaded with chemicals and artificial sweeteners that increase fat mass. This is why you see the lean muscle tissue being broken down before the fat.
2 comments:
Weight Watchers is really the only weight loss program that works for me so I was sad to read that report. However, most of the ladies in my group do exercise. Did the Weight Watchers in that study group exercise? Also, I try not to eat artificial sweeteners. I snack on vegetables and fruit because I think those are more natural choices.
Here is a link to the study:
http://faculty.css.edu/tboone2/asep/BallJEPonlineJune2008.pdf
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