Systematic review comparing the effectiveness of self-help v. group weight management programme in weight loss

The research is a systematically review of literature comparing the effectiveness of group weight loss programme (GWLP) and self-help weight loss programmes (SHWLP). Research method was systematically searching databases Cochrane library, PUBMED and MEDLINE from 2000 until June 2010. Selection criteria were randomised controlled trials include either GWL or SHWLP or both. Obese or overweight adults aged between 18 and 65, BMI between 25 and 40. For data collection and analysis, the reviewer used standardised tools to extract data and rate every study's methodological quality. Thirteen articles were included, six were in the SHWLP and nine were in GWLP. The mean methodological quality score was 19.5 in both groups (the minimum score was 6, while the maximum score was 26, see Table 1). The mean weight loss (kg) for SHWLP was 1.19, while GWLP had 7.08. The GWL intervention had a mean follow up months of 11.6, while the SHWLP had 13.5 (see Table 2). Higher weight loss was noticed in the GWLP as compared with the SHWLP (see graph 1). The final results should be used with care because of lack of Meta analysis in the review as the data were inhomogeneous.