Slimming World on Referral
Evidence Base
Slimming World pioneered a subsidised referral system in collaboration with Greater and Central Derby PCTs in 2001 to allow health professionals to offer patients free membership of one of our weekly groups. This initial research study investigated the feasibility, practicalities and cost-effectiveness of referring patients from Primary Care into Slimming World groups1.
As well as helping patients lose weight (average weight loss of those completing 12 weeks was 6.4%), significant improvements in mental well-being were reported after 12 weeks. Over 70% of those completing the free 12 weeks then went on to fund themselves, with average weight loss in those completing 24 weeks was 11.3%. The service was shown to be far more cost-effective than drug treatment and also less expensive than many in-house options.
Since it’s nationwide launch in 2002 the programme is proving very popular with more than 50 schemes now set up. The majority of these are with primary or secondary care teams in England, although some have been set up with individual practices, Sure Start groups and in workplaces as employee benefit services. Based on the evidence of success, increasing numbers of Primary Care Trusts are rolling the Slimming World on Referral programme out to GP practices within their area.
Over 40,000 patient places have been purchased to date.
Data from the first 2,100 members to finish 12 week programme:
- 34% were considered morbidly obese (BMI>40)
- Average attendance was 9.4 weeks (of 12)
- 64% completed the programme (10 of 12 weeks)
- Average weight loss of completers was 5.5% (4.2% across total population)
- 55% of completers lost ≥ 5% bodyweight (39% of total population)
- Non-completers attended an average of 5.6 weeks and lost 2.1% of bodyweight
12% of referred members are men:
- Average attendance was 9.6 weeks (of 12)
- 69% completed the programme (10 of 12 weeks)
- Average weight loss of completers was 6.2% (5.1% across total population)
- 69% of completers lost ≥ 5% bodyweight (50% of total population)
- Non-completers attended an average of 5 weeks and lost 2.5% of bodyweight
