Weight-Loss Study Determines that TOPS Is Effective

Real People. Real Weight Loss.®

MILWAUKEE, WI – Recent findings from what is

believed to be the largest study of a weight-loss

program in the United States indicates that TOPS

Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit

weight-loss support organization, is associated with

clinically significant weight loss among participants

who remain in the program for at least one year.

According to a study published in Obesity, the official

journal of The Obesity Society, TOPS participants

who renewed their annual membership consecutively

over a period of one to three years lost between

5.9% and 7.1% of their initial weight. People who

remained in the program lost 6% of initial weight in

the first year and maintained that weight loss for up

to three years.

The Institute of Medicine defines successful

long-term weight loss as “losing at least 5% of

body weight...by the completion of a weight-loss

program... and keeping it [off]...for at least one year.”

The average weight loss estimated in this study

exceeds these criteria for successful long-term

weight loss which have been associated with

improved health benefits, including decreased

likelihood of developing heart disease, lower blood

pressure and cholesterol levels, and the reduction

of sleep apnea symptoms.

Study authors Nia S. Mitchell, L. Miriam Dickinson,

Allison Kempe, and Adam G. Tsai, all of the

University of Colorado Denver, examined data from

nearly 43,000 TOPS members who joined between

January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007, and who

had at least one membership renewal between 2006

and 2008. Members were weighed at weekly meetings

by the chapter weight recorder and subsequently

submitted to TOPS’ national headquarters by local

Field Staff.

In addition to regular group meetings designed to

reinforce healthy habits, such as setting reasonable

goals, increasing physical activity, portion control,

and food journaling — major components of TOPS’

weight-loss philosophy, the TOPS program includes

a six-week “quick-start” guide, My Day One, and a

one-year subscription to TOPS News, the organization’s

members-only magazine.

The researchers noted the substantial difference in

cost between TOPS and commercial weight-loss

programs, like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig.

A nonprofit organization, TOPS’ annual membership

fee is $28 in the United States and $32 in Canada,

plus nominal chapter fees (on average, $5 per

month) collected for local chapter expenses. There

are no special foods to purchase.

TOPS chapters are also led by volunteer leaders

who are elected by their peers. The study authors

speculate that the lower dropout rate in TOPS could

be due to the camaraderie, support, and recognition

that develop from regular chapter meetings because

participants may hold offices in the chapter.

“We are pleased that the findings of this landmark

study further confirm that members of TOPS can

experience measurable and lasting weight-loss

success,” said Barbara Cady, TOPS President.

TOPS has been shown to be as successful as

commercial groups and plans that have been scientifically

studied and evaluated in recent years. These

include the 2005 JAMA study of Ornish, the Zone,

Weight Watchers and Atkins. TOPS is affordable

and available throughout the US and Canada.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS

meeting free of charge. To find a local chapter, view

www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

PI-093 (Rev. 8/13) © 2013 by TOPS Club, Inc.

Rhode Island has 9 TOPS Chapters in the following cities: Riverside, Warren, Tiverton, Warwick, Cumberland, Coventry, East Greenwich, and we have 2 chapters in Westerly!