Effects of different weight loss intervention programmes in health clubs – an observational multicenter study

This study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of three lifestyle intervention programmes in health clubs “exercise only” (E), “exercise plus nutritional counselling” (E + NC), and “exercise plus weight loss program” (E + WLP) on weight loss under real-life conditions. An observational multicenter study including 788 overweight/obese new customers of 95 health clubs in Germany was performed. Participants chose E (n = 512, 38 ± 14 year, BMI 30.4 ± 4.7 kg/m²), E + NC (n = 179, 42 ± 14 year, BMI 31.7 ± 4.5 kg/m²), or E + WLP (n = 97, 40 ± 11 year, BMI 31.6 ± 5.1 kg/m²). Anthropometric data, energy expenditure, and energy intake were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. All groups significantly reduced body weight (E: −1.5 ± 2.9 kg, E + NC: −3.4 ± 3.6 kg, E + WLP: −5.5 ± 4.3 kg, p <.001 within and between groups) and body fat (E: −1.2 ± 2.4%, E + NC: −2.0 ± 2.4%, E + WLP: −3.1 ± 2.5%, p <.001 within and between groups). However, only E + WLP achieved a clinically significant weight loss of −5.9 ± 3.9%. Exercise energy expenditure increased and energy intake decreased significantly in all groups (p <.001), but to different extents. This investigation suggests that under field conditions exercise plus dietary interventions are more effective for weight loss than exercise alone. The benefits of E + WLP emphasize that interventions even performed by health clubs may elicit clinically relevant weight loss in overweight and obese new customers and can therefore be recommended.