Duke Study: The Best Diet Plan and Diet Pill for the Money

best diet plan diet pill

Researchers from Duke University found that Weight Watchers and the diet drug Qsymia rate the best in cost-effectiveness.

The study was published in the journal Obesity, and the Duke researchers looked at 27 studies and compared three different diets and three different drugs.

Diets Studied:

Weight Watchers
Jenny Craig
VTrim

Weight Loss Drugs Studied:

Qysmia
Belviq (Lorcaserin)
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)

The study calculated the cost per kilogram of weight loss for each diet and drug. Weight Watchers came out on top with $155 per kg lost. For the diet drugs, Qsymia was on top at $232 per kg.

According to the study authors, they conducted the study since some insurance providers are looking into covering some weight loss plans and diet drugs to address the professional and financial burdens of obesity. Senior study author, Eric Finkelstein, Ph.D. and Professor at Duke University commented:

The obesity epidemic is raising serious health and cost consequences, so employers and third-party payers are beginning to consider how to provide some coverage for commercial weight loss programs… These results will help them make better purchasing decisions to maximize the health gains using available resources.